Groups Supporting Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Subcommittee of the Residents’ Council Resident Life Committee canvassed Charlestown groups and clubs to find out their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We want to publicize their DIB-related meetings and share these programs/events with our committee members. We will also ask them to publicize and share our DIB programs/events with their members.

Eugenia High

Some of her contributions have included interviews with residents who come from or lived in foreign countries; daily Black History month segments; other segments on Pride month; Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Puerto Rico heritage; and presentations on Kwanza. She researches and prepares most of the scripts herself and tries to get resident and staff speakers to help as much as possible. Her show on 972 is titled “Did You Know?”.

ELLIC – Gif Intlekofer

The Elderhostel Lifelong Learning Institute at Charlestown (ELLIC) regularly presents programs pertaining to achievements of, or prejudices against, minority groups in its annual curricula. Programs also provide information about how and why these groups may be targeted. This fall we will present programs entitled “Strange Fruit: Racism and Community Life in Counties of the Chesapeake Bay Region – 1850 to the Present”; “Transgender 101”; and “They told me they were Gay … Now What?” ELLIC will also present programs about the Black community during Black History Month, which it does every year. Some past presentations have been about African art, drum circles, and Benjamin Banneker during a trip to the nearby museum. The Curriculum Committee welcomes any suggestions about this type of programming and ways to make connections to make them happen. In the past, ELLIC has also had presentations from the Asian and Islamic communities. The purpose of Continuing Education is to expand learning experiences and broaden our understanding of the world around us as we grow older. Diversity adds depth to any community and we welcome it.

Film Library and Night at the Movies – Phil Benzil

I am responding for both the Charlestown Film Library & the Friday & Saturday “at the movies” groups. The CFL collection is very diverse, and I am constantly sensitive to purchasing additions of all sorts and with awareness of the need to continue in this manner. Likewise, for the showings in the auditorium, I act similarly. As I choose the films to show I begin by Googling to find days of significance to select movies appropriate to the event(s) of the day or month. As an example, the selection for Black History Month was 12 Years A Slave. I am most receptive to suggestions to better my attention to matters affecting DIB.

Genealogy Club – Hope Tillman and Walt Howe

As genealogists, we do not dismiss history, whitewash it, or rewrite it. We take it in proper context and with respect. While we are not responsible for the actions of our ancestors, we can acknowledge their behavior that is not appropriate today. Members work on their own ancestries and the time periods in which their ancestors lived. We seek to help those with less accessible histories try to uncover their ancestries.

Harmonizers – Phyllis Lansing

The Harmonizes are open to participation by any Charlestown resident who is experienced in singing four (or more) part choral music. Since school and church choirs abound, many residents may be comfortable with that provision. We try to include music from various traditions and cultures in our concerts.

Jewish Community of Charlestown – Phil and Naomi Benzil

The JCAC is a small group of Jewish residents in Charlestown. We have occasional attendees not of the Jewish faith, such as spouses, friends, or others who may join us out of interest in the topic for that afternoon. We meet regularly on Fridays at 4:00 pm in classroom 116 in Charlestown Square for informal discussion of matters of interest to our members. Examples include the showing of films or videos, discussions concerning our families or interesting events in our lives and speakers. Of relevance to the question of diversity, we have had speakers from several members of the clergy of different faiths and a presentation by a former Nun. Every 3rd Friday we meet instead in The Gallery for a dinner together during which we discuss matters appropriate to the members and/or related to matters pertinent to Charlestown. We also gather on Jewish holidays and special events to, once again, share dinner and conversation. It may be noted from the above that we are diverse in our activities, and we would happily entertain any suggestions you may provide us to expand our commitment to the principles of the D18 committee. Similarly, we would be receptive to requests that we may be of assistance to your committee in achieving better Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Charlestown and the world in general.

LGBT+ – Bonnie Kawecki

LGBT+: We provide a safe space for members, friends, and allies of the LGBT+ community to share and learn from each other. Throughout the year we provide opportunities for the larger community to learn from events we sponsor such as movies, Gay Pride activities, a book review, and an ELLIC speaker.

League of Women Voters – Judy Plymyer

The League of Women Voters (LWV) Group at Charlestown is part of the Baltimore County League. The LWV was started in 1920 by suffragettes, now suffragists, shortly before the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. There are now over 700 grassroots leagues in the US, representing states, counties, townships, and municipalities. The LWV is nonpartisan and since the early 1970’s has accepted men as members. A Baltimore County resident can join the County LWV for tax-deductible dues of $60 a year per individual and $110 per household. Membership is free for a full-time student from 16 to 30 years of age. When you join the Baltimore County LWV, you are also a member of the state of Maryland LWV and the US LThe League of Women Voters (LWV) Group at Charlestown is part of the Baltimore County League.

The LWV was started in 1920 by suffragettes, now suffragists, shortly before the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. There are now over 700 grassroots leagues in the US, representing states, counties, townships, and municipalities. The LWV is nonpartisan and since the early 1970’s has accepted men as members. A Baltimore County resident can join the County LWV for tax-deductible dues of $60 a year per individual and $110 per household. Membership is free for a full-time student from 16 to 30 years of age. When you join the Baltimore County LWV, you are also a member of the state of Maryland LWV and the US LWV and have access to those websites, newsletters, Voters’ Guides, and events. Our mission is to help register voters and to inform voters. We do this with voter registration opportunities, including sign-up days and availability of registration forms at Front Desks in independent living buildings. We publicize election information with bookmarks, TV appearances, and postings on the MyErickson scroll and bulletin boards. The Front Desks also have mail-in ballot applications. The month before a state election, we make paper Voters’ Guides available at the Front Desks in independent living as well as Wilton Overlook and Caton Woods. Voting information is also available online at Voter411.org, paid for by the LWV. Our group assists residents to fill out ballots on request, we volunteer at our precinct on election day or act as election judges, and we volunteer as poll evaluators at other County precincts. Some group members belong to the Resident Council Legislative & Political Committee and recently helped with questions for candidate forums. When requested our volunteers help register new voters at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Halethorpe, a moving experience for all. The LWV also advocates for issues such as the Vote4More referendum to add 4 county districts to the Baltimore County Council. We have about 50 members, including four men here at Charlestown, although some members are inactive. We participate in the County LW which has almost 200 members. In 2023, a nonelection year, we hope to grow our membership and work on legislative issues, including the Vote4More referendum and offer films with a suffrage theme. We meet several times a year with occasional lunches and participate in the Constitution Day celebration at the University of Maryland Law School. New members are always welcome!

Library Committee – Joan Powell

The Ruth Houck Library is staffed and operated by 45+ men and women Charlestown volunteers. It is open Mon.-Fri, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Our collection of books and print materials is diverse. Books selections are in regular and large print. Many titles are also in audio. The collection contains books by authors of many ethnicities and races.

We maintain a section specifically for Charlestown authors. We keep our collection as current as possible. Our windows, which face Main Street, change monthly and display various topics ( author, holiday, special events, etc. ). The particular theme is the choice of the assigned team for the month. Suggestions are always welcomed.

Little Theatre Company – Bill Jones

The Little Theatre Company was incorporated in 2002 and bases its activities on the following as stated in the Bylaws of the Corporation. This organization, herein known as the Little Theatre Company, Inc., is an incorporated body in the State of Maryland and is exempt from taxes under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)3. The purpose of the organization shall be to provide a creative theatrical outlet for the residents and friends of the Charlestown Community. Our productions are intended to enrich the entertainment opportunities in our community and to encourage community interest and participation in both on-stage and back-stage roles. In our statement of purpose is a pledge to be an open and welcoming organization for any and all Charlestown residents who may have an interest in participating in some aspect of community theater. This means that in our advertising, auditioning, cast selection and play support we are always seeking a diverse group to fill the many roles it takes to put on these performances. We have pledged to do what we can to interest minority persons to become active and to take a fair, non-type cast approach to fill roles in our productions and to participate in our board and membership meetings.

Multi-Racial Awareness Discussion Group – Lois Schmidt

The Multiracial Awareness Discussion Group is a group of Charlestown residents who are concerned about racial justice and equity. We meet monthly for educational programs and discussions. Everyone who is concerned about these issues is welcome to attend. The goals of the Multiracial Awareness Discussion Group are:

• Offer educational opportunities to explore our shared historical past and identify the systems and institutions that support racist ideas and behaviors.
• To build a concerned caring community of elders who educate themselves and encourage each other to work together and within their own circle of influence to address racial injustices.

To accomplish these goals we:

• Continue to explore the history of this country to “Create Common Memory” enhancing opportunities for national conciliation.
• Continue our comparative analysis of American History and the racist systems and institutions which have resulted in creating huge discrepancies in wealth, health, education, housing, justice, and voting rights.
• Study and practice talking with family and friends about racism
• Study the many contributions of people of color.
• Continue our study of indigenous people.
• Examine “unconscious bias” to better understand that it affects all of us.
• Investigate the concepts of white supremacy and white privilege.

We will remain aware throughout our study that racist ideas and behaviors harm everyone and antiracist ideas and behaviors benefit all of us. We hope that we as a society and as individuals can change and move toward racial justice and equity.

Progressives Together – Bonnie Kawecki

We have monthly meetings during which we learn from each other. Sometimes we have a guest speaker such as a candidate for office or a member of the MD legislature. We encourage learning about and voting for progressive legislation focused on supporting the diverse needs and rights of people living in our local area, in the state, or in our country.

Sandtown Connection – Lon Chesnutt

“The beginnings of Charlestown-Sandtown Connection (cSc) were in 2015 in response to the death of Freddie Grey, a Sandtown resident, while under police custody and the ensuing unrest and destruction of property that occurred immediately afterward. A few residents, led by David Pollitt and Phyl Lansing, asked the question of “How might Charlestown residents respond to this unrest in a positive way?” As the small group of Charlestown members began to make contact with Sandtown leaders and residents, several opportunities opened up and began to take shape. Diversity of race, economic level, and social background has been a part of every activity that has occurred in the past seven years; and it has generated genuine friendships, significant services, and a growing experience in positive race relations for every Charlestown person that has volunteered.

The Mission Statement witnesses to the desire to serve people in one of the most depressed areas of Baltimore City, less than five miles from the doorsteps of Charlestown: “The nature, mission, and scope of the Charlestown-Sandtown Connection is to work with residents and leaders in the Sandtown/Winchester area of Baltimore in order to offer our support by responding to their needs. Our goal is to Listen, Learn, Understand, and then take action according to the interests and abilities of Charlestown residents.”

The following are examples of the kinds of services still being provided by various groups of Charlestown volunteers: Individual tutoring of elementary students in New Song Academy, School supplies and winter clothing for New Song, assistance to ‘No Boundaries’ community organization in initiating a Saturday fresh food market, scholarships to leadership training programs for youth and young adults, support and scholarships through Jubilee Arts to youth learning creative skills and self-expression in art, job training for young adults in ‘Turn Around Tuesdays’ programs and providing left-over Treasure Sale clothing to improve job applicants’ images. In support of these and other activities, cSc has raised and spent over $30,000 from Charlestown residents in these efforts. Charlestown-Sandtown Connection is always seeking new volunteers in all its efforts. Once or twice a year we hold a public event in Charlestown to share activities and recruit new volunteers.

Groups Supporting Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Who Do Not Have Regular Programming