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PET HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Understanding Cat Eye Infections — Conjunctivitis in Cats
Cat eye infections are a common concern among pet owners, particularly when it comes to conjunctivitis.
What is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis, often called “pink eye,” is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin, transparent tissue that covers the white part of the eye and inside of the eyelids.
Causes of Conjunctivitis in Cats
Infections: Viral or bacterial infections are the most common causes. Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), Chlamydophila felis and Mycoplasma felis are notable culprits.
Anatomic defects: Abnormalities with the eyelids including entropion and eyelid agenesis can lead to conjunctivitis. Entropion is a condition where the eyelids roll in causing pain and inflammation. Eyelid agenesis is a birth defect in which the eyelids do not form properly
Allergens and Irritants: Rarely, allergens including pollen and dust and foreign bodies can irritate the eyes.
Underlying Health Issues: Various conditions including feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can weaken the immune system, predisposing cats to eye infections.
Symptoms of Cat Eye Infections
Identifying and treating conjunctivitis early can prevent more severe complications. Here are the common symptoms:
Redness: The conjunctiva may appear red or pink.
Swelling: Swelling may be present around the eyes, making them look puffy or even swollen shut.
Discharge: Watery to clear, yellow, or green thick discharge may be in or around the eyes.
Squinting or Blinking: A cat with conjunctivitis often has increased blinking/squinting or keeps the eye closed.
Rubbing or Pawing: Frequent rubbing or pawing at the eyes can occur due to discomfort.
Cloudiness: Cats with conjunctivitis may also have clouding or haze to the clear surface of the eye, the cornea. Behavioral changes: Conjunctivitis is painful. Therefore, some cats can become lethargic or inappetent.
When to Be Concerned: If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if they persisted for more than a day or two and your cat is acting ill, it is time to consult a veterinarian.
Diagnostic tests
Your veterinarian will likely do some testing after examining your cat's eyes.
Schirmer tear test: Especially if there is a lot of thick discharge and if the eyes look very dry, a Schirmer tear test may be done. This involves placing a small strip of paper at the lower eyelid for one minute.
Fluorescein dye test: This involves placing a drop of stain into the eye to check for corneal ulcers which may occur in conjunction with conjunctivitis. Other names that may be used for ulcers are ‘scratch’ or ‘erosion.’
Tonometry: A small non- invasive instrument called a tonometer may be used to check the pressure within the eye.
Treatment Options
Both oral and topical options are typically available for treatment. Your veterinarian will determine what is appropriate for your cat's condition.
Antibiotics: Effective against bacterial infections. Antibiotics may also be used to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
Antivirals: Used for viral infections like FHV-1.
Anti-Inflammatories: Reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Artificial Tears: Help keep the eyes moist and relieve irritation.
Pain medication: Improve comfort.
Surgery: Required for treatment of conditions such as entropion and eyelid agenesis.
Cleaning the Eyes: Discharge can be gently wiped away with a clean, damp cloth if the cat will allow for it.
Elizabethan collars: A firm plastic Elizabethan collar should be placed to avoid self trauma, especially if the cat is rubbing at the eye. Elizabethan collars are always recommended when a corneal ulcer is also present.
Importance of Consulting a Veterinarian
It's crucial to consult your veterinarian before starting any treatment. Incorrect treatment can worsen the condition or lead to additional complications.
Conclusion
Understanding and identifying conjunctivitis in cats is essential for ensuring your pet's eye health. Early detection and appropriate treatment can prevent complications and ensure a quick recovery. If you have any concerns about your cat's eye health, consult your veterinarian promptly
For more information or to schedule an appointment with our ophthalmology team, contact Metropolitan Veterinary Associates.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Multispecialty team at Main Line Health offers
For many patients with pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, fibroids or endometriosis, getting a definitive diagnosis or finding the right treatment can be challenging. Main Line Health's Advanced Gynecology Program helps these patients find answers and achieve their health goals.
"We listen to patients, believe them and involve them in every level of care," explains Jordan Klebanoff, MD, a fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon with Main Line Health. "Most patients with pelvic pain have been searching for answers for years and have gynecological issues that cannot be resolved with a simple single treatment or procedure. By partnering with a multispecialty team of providers, we successfully address whole-person care.”
A multispecialty team treating gynecologic conditions
The Advanced Gynecology Program includes minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons, a nurse practitioner and physician assistants partnered with urogynecologists, pelvic floor physical therapists, gastroenterologists, pain management specialists, fertility clinicians and others to diagnose and treat a wide range of noncancerous gynecologic issues. Some include:
Endometriosis/adenomyosis
Uterine fibroids
Pelvic pain
Urinary and fecal incontinence
Infertility
Sexual dysfunction
"Complex gynecologic issues can take extensive time and coordination to trea effectively or medical treatment," says Joseph Gobern,
MD, system chair for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Main Line Health and fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon. "Our program supports area OB/GYN physicians and primary care providers by acting as an extension of their practice to handle these complex cases. Patients can then return to their providers for ongoing care.”
Coordinated, patient-first approach
One key to the Advanced Gynecology Program's success is personalized coordination of care. "Our coordinated care approach is the glue that allows us to provide seamless continuity of care," says Dr. Gobern. "With this coordination, we not only treat the underlying condition but also address the far-reaching effects it can cause from endometriosis contributing to disabling pelvic pain to uterine fibroids impacting fertility. This greatly improves health outcomes and overall quality of life.”
Expanded access, so you get the treatment you need
"The Advanced Gynecology Program has been growing rapidly since it began," says Dr. Klebanoff. The program is located at Main Line Health Newtown Square, providing patients with access to many of our specialty physicians and physical therapy services under one roof. This additional practice space enhances convenience and comprehensive care for our patients.
The program has increased its surgical access, as well. Katherine Chaves, MD, a fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, joined the program as its third physician. With the addition of Dr. Chaves, the team can better serve its growing patient population. Now, patients can get the treatment they need more quickly.
The Advanced Gynecology Program recently welcomed Dana Shanis, MD, a boardcertified obstetrician/gynecologist and sexual health physician. As a sexual health physician, Dr. Shanis specializes in understanding the physiological, hormonal, structural and psychological factors that contribute to sexual dysfunction. While obstetricians and gynecologists are trained in reproductive health, sexual health encompassing pleasure, connection and intimate experiences has often been overlooked in medical education. Dr. Shanis works to fill this gap by helping women navigate and treat complex sexual health challenges, leading to significant improvements in their overall quality of life.
To learn more about how the Advanced Gynecology Program can help improve your health and well-being, visit mainlinehealth.org/advancedgyn or call 484.227.9680.
VALLEY FORGE PARK ALLIANCE
The Valley Forge Park Alliance has been awarded a National Park Foundation grant through the Open Outdoors for Kids program to illuminate the often overlooked African American narratives from the Revolutionary War. This initiative draws on Park-led research to engage the community, particularly students from Norristown Area School District, in a pilot curriculum program combining hands-on activities with immersive field trips at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
In collaboration with Dionne Patterson, founder of UGR3Day, the Valley Forge Park Alliance will create dynamic educational experiences. These experiences will include interactive sessions and, importantly, storytelling-focused excursions.
“I am deeply honored and excited to collaborate with the Valley Forge Park Alliance on this groundbreaking initiative to develop and share the rich African American history that is so vital to our nation's story. This partnership is an incredible opportunity to ensure that these important narratives are not only preserved but also brought to life for future generations. Together, we are creating a lasting impact that will educate, inspire, and empower communities across Pennsylvania,” said Patterson.
Over the next year, the program will connect 200 students with the African American experience at Valley Forge, deepening their understanding of its critical role in American history. Emphasizing accessibility and inclusion, this project is designed to foster a broader appreciation for our shared heritage, creating a strong emotional connection and fostering empathy among all participants.
“We are honored to receive this funding from the National Park Foundation,” said Molly Duffy, Executive Director of the Valley Forge
Park Alliance. “This grant enables us to highlight the contributions of African Americans at Valley Forge and inspire a new generation to engage with this important history.”
The National Park Foundation's Open Out Doors for Kids program ensures that all youth have access to national parks and opportunities to develop a lifelong connection to these treasured spaces. Through field trips, classroom activities, and educational engagements, the program nurtures children's sense of wonder and curiosity, bringing the history and beauty of national parks to life.
The grant will allow the Valley Forge Park Alliance to extend its outreach, particularly to underserved communities, ensuring that more students experience the park's unique historical and cultural significance.
For more information, please contact: molly@vfparkalliance.org.
About the Valley Forge Park Alliance
The Valley Forge Park Alliance inspires appreciation for and citizen stewardship of Valley Forge National Historical Park. As the Park's philanthropic partner, the Alliance connects people to the Park through education, preservation, and celebration of its natural and historical resources. The Alliance enhances the visitor experience while protecting the Park's rich history for future generations.
SOLARIZE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Ready to Stop Climate Change?
Battle climate change and get pay back in both cash and the satisfaction of knowing that you and thousands of your neighbors, businesses and Towns throughout the Delaware Valley are getting the job done! Some steps require no investment and some do. ALL can save you money. Web sites like https://haverfordclimateaction.org provide a one-stop shop for information on things you can do, upcoming webinars, videos and more. The biggest savings in energy is to use less; please consider an energy assessment if you have not had one done. Peco offers this for $49. For a limited time, PECO is offering Solarize Delco participants a special $10 discount for any home energy assessment. Please use the special promo code SOLARDEL25 on the website or call 888.573.2672 to schedule your appointment. Expires Dec 31, 2025
Solar the Easy Way
Solar PV Tax Credits NOW:
Home solar tax credits are 30% for 2025 but who knows what the future will bring. Nonprofits can now also get a direct 30% federal rebate for installed solar systems. PECO offers solar rebates: $500 for residential and first year production based for commercial. Grants and low cost leases are available for income eligible households. We are now evaluating for 2025.
Solarize DelCo Group Pricing:
Residents, non-profits and businesses in Delaware County Email us at solarizedelco@gmail.com with name, address and phone number and we can help you assess whether the Solarize Delco program with vetted vendors and a significant discount over market rates is right for you.
Low Income Grants and Leasing
Options: Income qualified homeowners can apply for a grant (up to $5,000) while funds last or take advantage of our partnership with a vetted leasing firm that can reduce monthly bills by a combination of Solar PV and weatherization. Solarize Delco can help you decide what is best for you.
Who are we? Your neighbors, an all volunteer non-profit providing education, unbiased information and an easier path to putting solar on your home, business or house of worship. We can help Houses of Worship and other non-profits find sources of funding as well. More info at www.solarizedelco.org. Search Solarize Philly and Solarize SE PA for programs outside of DelCo.
Ready to Solarize Now?
In Delaware County, PA — fill out a form on www.solarizedelco.org or Email us at solarizedelco@gmail.com with your name,
address and phone number and we can help you assess whether the Solarize Delco program with a selected vendor and a significant discount over market rates is right for you. In Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery County - Email solarizesepa@gmail.com
Are Tax Credits Gone? No!
Solar, EV, Heat Pump and Home energy efficiency tax credits are baked in to this year's tax code- but future changes are in the hands of Congress. Success in fighting climate change has always required consumers to buy lower carbon options and that will not change. The costs of power and regular cars are headed higher than ever. Solar and Electric Vehicle costs are lower than ever and will save you thousands of dollars over the life of their use. There is no time like the present to take action and claim your tax credits!
Climate Webinar Series Videos Watch these informative recorded Climate Action Workshops on Solar Home, adapting to Electric Vehicle use, Purchasing Renewable Energy, and others at https://www.youtube.com/@haverfordeac.
The Clean Energy Co-Op can help businesses and nonprofits go solar through education and solar development with the capital of local Co-op members. Contact info@cleanenergy.coop to learn more.
WILLOWS PARK PRESERVE
History and Mystery at The Willows
Got history? Got mystery? The Willows has plenty of both! Yes, we know a great deal about the history of the Willows Park and its picturesque mansion at the top of a hill. We know when the mansion was built (1910), why it was built (a wedding gift for a bride), how it was built (Spanish Mission style, with a terra cotta tile roof) and by whom it was built (Charles Barton Keen, a prominent American architect). We know the names of the families who lived there (Sinnott, Griscom, Neuman, Zantzinger) as well as who later acquired the mansion and the 47.5 acres of verdant property that surround it (Radnor Township, in 1973). We know that the mansion was used for decades as a venue for weddings, graduation parties, craft shows and other events. We know that, in winters past (and winters present), the hills have been used for sledding and the pond used for skating.
We know this and much more about The Willows, but there is plenty of history that is still a mystery to the dedicated staff, directors and volunteers at the Willows Park Preserve (WPP). The WPP's mission is “to revitalize the Willows Mansion as an integral part of the Willows Park and open it to the community as a welcoming and inclusive place for relaxation, connection, celebration and life-long learning.” As part of that mission, the WPP seeks to preserve the history of the mansion and its grounds: the history that is already known and the history that has become a mystery, hopefully not lost but merely hidden away, waiting to be discovered, in old photographs, yellowed newspaper articles, architect's plans, Township records and rapidly fading memories.
Consider the fountain wall at the back of the mansion's courtyard. At one time it was part of a larger, stuccoed and brick-capped wall that enclosed a “sunken garden.” We know the landscape architect (Thomas Sears, who also served as the landscape architect for nearby Chanticleer), but we don't really know what was planted in the garden. A single faded photo of the garden offers some blurry images of flowers and shrubs, perhaps some roses and irises, but it
is hard to identify them with any certainty. Did Sears plant in this garden flowers and shrubs of the same variety that he placed in a sunken garden at Reynolda, the R.J. Reynolds mansion in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, designed by the same architect who designed the Willows mansion?
Staying with the fountain wall for a moment, what about the dolphin fountain embedded in the wall? Is it part of the original structure or was it added at a later time? And why a dolphin? Did dolphins have some special meaning for the owners who installed it or was it simply a popular garden motif at the time? (What time? 1910? 1930? 1950?) No known photos or documents answer these questions.
Moving along from a fountain to a well, what is the secret history of the limestone wishing well surrounded by a circular drive near the mansion's northeast end?
Reportedly the well was installed at the mansion in 1936 by the Zantzingers, who moved the well from their prior residence in Haverford. An undated photo of the well is labelled in red ink as “Milanese fountain.” Was the fountain made in Milan or purchased in Milan or is it simply of a style that was popular in Milan at one time? And how about the striking ironwork that crowns the well? It's been claimed that the ironwork was made by the renowned blacksmith and metalworker Samuel Yellin, whose work appears on the doorways, gates, windows and other structures of numerous Philadelphia and Main Line mansions, churches, commercial buildings and educational institutions. Yellin and Keen, the mansion's architect, worked together from time to time. Can a Yellin connection to this ironwork be documented?
Stepping away from the mansion for a while, we move to the Mercer tiles embedded in the concrete bridge crossing Little Darby Creek, near the picnic area of the park. These glazed clay tiles, produced at the historic Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown, depict various scenes, including scenes of Christopher Columbus's travels to and from the New World and a monstrous marine snake swallowing a sailor. When, why and by whom were these tiles installed? Returning to the mansion, we find more Mercer tiles - or what are believed to be Mercer tiles - in the fireplace in the library under a thick layer of historic soot. These are simple red clay tiles with no images. Were they installed by the first owners of the mansion or by subsequent owners?
Ironically, one of the many mysteries of The Willows involves the eponymous willows themselves. Several graceful weeping willows grow along the banks of the Willows pond. The weeping willow is not a native North American tree, so they were planted by somebody at some point, but when and by whom? Willows are relatively short-lived trees, with an average lifespan of 30 years. Are the willows we see today “second or third generation” willows? Notably, The Willows was not called The Willows until the property was acquired by Radnor Township in 1973 (at which time there were willows). Had weeping willows only recently been planted at the property at the time the Township acquired it? Is it possible that the earlier owners of the property had no reason to call the property The Willows (instead of “Rose Garland” or “Maral Brook”, its two prior names) because, at the time they acquired the property, there were no weeping willows to inspire such a name?
As the WPP gamely attempts to solve these mysteries the phrase “It takes a village” comes to mind. Perhaps the reader would like to join us as we sleuth for the truth and fill in the maddening gaps in our knowledge about The Willows (yes, we mind the gaps!). The more we learn about the history of this already fascinating property, the more we appreciate it and the more reason we have to restore and revitalize it, for ourselves and future generations.
If you would like to host your next event at the WPP, register for a program, learn about volunteer opportunities, provide financial support, or simply want to learn more about the WPP, please visit our website: www.willowsparkpreserve.org or email us at: info@willowsparkpreserve.org
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Celebrating Bishop Richard Allen
By Ava Petrosky
While on February 14, 2025, many people celebrated Valentine's Day, the people of Radnor Township had a 265th birthday celebration. A group of residents gathered on that chilly Friday afternoon at the Bishop Richard Allen Park in Bryn Mawr to commemorate the legacy of Bishop Richard Allen.
Born February 14, 1760, Bishop Allen was the founding father of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church. In 1784 he walked from New Jersey to Radnor Township. He was warmly welcomed by local residents Phebe and Caesar Waters. Allen extended his visit due to their strong hospitable nature.
“I found him and his wife [the Waters] very kind and affectionate to me…Never was I more kindly received by strangers that I had never before seen, than by them,” are the words written by Allen, where are now displayed on an informtational panel in the Bishop Richard Allen Park. Today the park is located nearby where the Waters family lived.
Allen stayed for a few weeks and preached to the community, especially within the Radnor United Methodist Church. He found the congregation to be of “mixed persuasions,” meaning diverse and multicultural.
The community was very fond of Allen; one resident even gifted him a donkey for his return trip to New Jersey
In 1785, Allen returned to Radnor Township. The Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was consecrated in Philadelphia in 1794. Years later in 1816, Allen was elected the first bishop of the AME Church. Since the first church in Philadelphia, the AME has expanded to
about 7,000 congregations around the world.
For the past seven years, the Radnor Township community has come together to remember the history and memory of Bishop Allen.
“I know while everyone else around the town is probably out enjoying the Super Bowl champions (with the Philadelphia Eagles parade taking place that day), we're here, I believe, really celebrating a hero,” said Tammy Cohen, the director of parks and recreation for Radnor Township. “He really is a true hero and…we try to celebrate every opportunity we get, not just about the park, just about his legacy and everything he did in bringing people together.”
The short and sweet 30-minute ceremony began at 12:15 p.m. Reverend Carolyn Cavaness began the commemoration with brief words about Allen's history on the Main Line. She refers to Allen and herself as “book ends” within the Bethel AME Church in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
“We're here to celebrate and remember the rich legacy of Bishop Richard Allen…I greet you as the 53rd pastor of Mother Bethel where he was the first pastor,” Cavaness said. “So I'm very grateful.”
Cavaness had started this commemoration service when she became pastor as a way for residents to remember Allen's walk. She highlighted the various artwork distributed around the park to educate visitors on the work of Bishop Allen. There is an informational board panel and the township is also hoping to add an additional piece of art to the park.
Cavaness then introduced Reverend Albert Johnson to give the opening prayer, who thanked God for the gathered crowd. Then
Anne Mincozzi, the board president of the Community Breakfast Collaborative, was invited to speak. The CBC is an annual breakfast hosted in partnership with various Black business owners on the Main Line. The next breakfast will take place this upcoming September, 2025.
After Friday's ceremony, Minicozzi brought Allen's memory to Villanova University. As a participant in the Theology PhD program, she presented a paper about Bishop Richard Allen Park at the Peace and Justice Conference on the University's campus. It was entitled “Racial Justice on the Ground: The Founding of the Bishop Richard Allen Park.” She discussed the ways in which the township and community members worked together to establish the park in 2010.
Speaking of the Township, current commissioners Moira Mulroney, Esq. and Jim Riley attended the ceremony, along with Dr. Clarke Piatt, the parks board vice chair. “I think it's one of the most special events we hold every year, considering how deep the roots go with the Bishop,” said Mulroney, who oversees Ward 5 and is president of the Radnor Board of commissioners.
Presiding Elder Reverend Dr. Stanley Smith concluded with a closing prayer, thanking God for bringing Bishop Allen to the Radnor Township community.
To end the birthday celebration, the group took the annual group photograph in front of a wreath placed by the park sign. They are excited to reunite again next year
To learn more about the legacy and history of Bishop Richard Allen, residents can visit the park and read the informational panel. For more stories and programming produced by area residents, you can check out our YouTube channel (youtube.com/@MLTVMainLineNetwork) or visit mltv21.org.
Find The Best Ways To Pay Down Debt
Are you concerned about debt? It's important to recognize this, but, at the same time, you may have more ways of gaining control of your debt situation than you had realized.
To begin with, not all debts are bad — after all, your mortgage provides you with a place to live, a car loan provides transportation, and student loans may have helped you get the career you wanted. In fact, the wise use of debt can be a key part of your overall financial strategy.
Nonetheless, if you're worried about what you owe, you've certainly got company Nearly 60% of Americans say they are struggling with debt, according to a recent study by WalletHub, an online personal finance site.
How can you ease these struggles? It may help to follow these steps:
Know your debt. Create a list that includes your mortgage, auto loans, student loans, medical debt, credit card debt and any installment purchases you've made. Then, add up the total amount you owe and calculate your debt-to-income ratio by
dividing your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income. (For revolving debt, such as credit cards, use the minimum payments in this calculation.) Ideally, you'd like to have a debt-to-income ratio below 35% if you have a mortgage, or 20% if you don't.
Look for restructuring opportunities. By restructuring debt, you may be able to pay it down more quickly. You can do this by refinancing debts, perhaps by transferring credit card debt to a new card with a low introductory rate or by replacing your mortgage or auto loan with one that carries a lower rate. You might also consider swapping debts, possibly by using secured debt, such as a home equity loan or securities-based lending, to pay off higherrate unsecured loans. Or you could consolidate debt by using secured debt to pay off several high-interest debts or transferring multiple credit card debts into one new card with a lower rate and minimal transfer fees.
Determine how much money will go to debt payments. You do have some latitude as to how much money you'll devote to paying debts each month. To avoid incurring late fees or other penalties, you'll need to make the minimum payments, which means a flat amount for some loans, such as your mortgage, and a percentage of the
outstanding balance on other debts, especially your credit cards. After you've paid the minimum, though, you can choose to pay more, which can shorten the life of the debt and reduce total interest charges, or you can use the money for other goals, such as saving for your retirement or your children's education.
Prioritize your debts. If you can make extra payments on your debts, it's helpful to prioritize them. You could choose the “avalanche” method by paying the debt with the highest interest rate first, or you could instead follow the “snowball” method by first tackling the debt with the lowest balance. The avalanche technique can help you minimize interest payments, while the snowball approach can give you a psychological boost by reducing the overall number of debts you're carrying, although it could result in your paying more interest over time.
Debt may be a fact of life — but if you manage it wisely, life can be a lot less stressful.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
VOTING INFORMATION
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A League Principle
DEI is in the news. Just what is it and what difference does it make?
Diversity
As humans, we all come in different shapes and sizes. We vary in age and stage. We are wrapped in various skin colors and topped with a variety of colors and textures of hair Some of us are blessed with good health, and others struggle with a myriad of issues. We stem from different cultures, speak different languages, and possess a variety of skill sets. Our personalities and economic status can differ significantly. Our families, traditions, belief systems, and cultures are unique. We have different preferences and make different choices. The bottom line is that diversity includes all of the similarities and differences among people.
A football team can be diverse because diversity is about a group and can exist only relative to others. A person is not diverse, but an individual can bring diversity to an organization. In today's climate, diversity refers to groups of people that have been historically underserved in powerful institutions and organizations economically, socially, or politically. These groups include, but are not limited to, populations of color, people with disabilities, people experiencing poverty, LGBTQIA+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus other queer identities), and women.
Equity
As family members, we have all experienced not being treated equally. Equity is not about equality or treating everyone the same; it's about fairness. A teenager in the family is not given the same meal as a sixmonthold. In fact, resources may be divided and shared differently to make sure that each individual has a fair chance to thrive. Equity refers to the systems, processes, and approaches that ensure everyone is given equal opportunity to succeed and is treated with dignity and respect.
To promote equity, efforts must be made to provide opportunities to those that are underserved and marginalized. Those that have the least need a chance to succeed as much as those who have the most. To level the playing field requires an understanding of the root causes of existing disparities. Transparency is essential in this process as cause and effect must be considered to determine what actions or conditions lead to what outcomes. Everyone needs to have clear expectations of consequences and rewards. Ultimately, equity involves increasing justice and fairness within institutions and systems to optimize success for all.
What difference does diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) make?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion depend on each of us to support each other. Increased inclusion is associated with increased equity; the majority of organizations with higher inclusion and equity also have greater diversity. By acting on these principles, organizations and institutions — from churches and schools to local boards and federal agencies — can better promote engagement among individuals, communities, and policy-makers. In today's divisive climate, where discrimination is celebrated, exclusion is being encouraged, and groups and individuals feel threatened, DEI is needed now more than ever.
The League of Women Voters, at the national, state, and local levels, has adopted diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and practice. While some wish to abolish the term or its policies, we believe DEI is fundamental both to our future as an organization and to our commitment to help make democracy work. Consider diversity, equity, and inclusion as foundational to the groups and institutions that you value. Together we can make a difference!
Inclusion
It feels good to belong. We've all experienced what it feels like to be the new kid on the block or ill-at-ease in a social situation. Inclusion is an on-going process to ensure that all people and their perspectives are represented as part of a group or structure. It is a dynamic state that capitalizes on diversity to create a healthy sense of community. Inclusion encourages greater performance through full participation from a diverse set of individuals who collaborate, plan, and make decisions.
While inclusive groups are always diverse, diverse groups are not always inclusive. Unconscious biases, stereotypes, and unintentional actions can sabotage inclusivity. Inclusive environments are those in which resources and opportunities are equitably distributed. Individuals feel safe and respected. They are engaged, motivated, and valued for who they are and for their contributions. Inclusivity nurtures the important sense of belonging.
Carrera
ART & CREATIVITY
When the going gets tough…
By Laurie Lamont Murray
By the time this reaches you, there might be some signs of Spring. I hope so! But from where I sit (19 degrees, high winds, more snow is a definite maybe) a getaway is sounding really good. Where to? As long as we're dreaming, why not Paris?
If you are traveling before the end of June, you won't regret a stop at the Centre Pompidou, which will close for a 5 year renovation after the Paris Noir exhibit. In it, 150 artists from Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean herald the importance of Black artists to the City of Light. Among 4 featured artist installations, Shuck One's vibrant work is a standout. Beginning as a graffiti artist in the late 1980's, he extended his scope from walls to canvas as a further means of communicating his street art mindset.
Then there's a one of a kind retrospective coming to Munich's Museum Brandhorst and Museum Ludwig in Cologne. In honor of Robert Rauschenberg's centennial, Five Friends examines the important contributions to the postwar arts made by John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Jasper Johns, Cy Twombly and Robert Rauschenberg. Featuring art, costumes, stage props, dance, concerts and music scores, this exhibit sheds new light on the reciprocal influence of these 5 prominent artists. (April 10August 17 2025)
We might head to the Netherlands, where Amselm Kiefer is exhibiting through June 9, 2025. Van Gogh is a major inspiration for Kiefer, so it is fitting that Tell Me Where The Flowers Are Is showing at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The Stedelijk Museum is showcasing their entire collection of Kiefer works for the first time, plus a spectacular 79 foot piece installed along their historic staircase. Kiefer's work incorporates mythology, literary figures and multiple religious themes, often confronting the dark past of Nazi rule in his paintings and mixed media.
rivalry between these masterful painters, a 'clash between fire and water'. November 27, 2025 through April 12, 2026.
sculptures and beautiful pattern drawings. Asawa's art studies
began while she was displaced in an internment camp during World War II and the importance of art education never left her. She created a public high school for the arts in San Francisco and was the driving force for many art programs throughout her life. Through Sept 2, 2025, then MoMA NY, Guggenheim Bilbao, Fondation Beyeler, Basel.
Of course there is never any lack of great exhibits locally! One that I am particularly intrigued by is coming to the Barnes on October 19, 2025. Henri Rousseau: A Painter's
Of course there is never any lack of great exhibits locally! One that I am particularly intrigued by is coming to the Barnes on October 19, 2025. Henri Rousseau: A Painter's Secrets is sure to offer some interesting twists, through February 22, 2026. What about you? I'd love to Hear about what you are looking forward to seeing in the art world. Drop me an email, at Murraydesignworks@gmail.com
Later this year, Turner and Constable is a “Can't- Miss” exhibit of two superb landscape artists. The Tate Britain will include sketchbooks and other personal effects to offer insight to the
Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective is at MoMA San Francisco through September 2, 2025 with 300 of her towering looped wire
