Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Justice, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are integral to our Holy Child education
Our cherished Holy Child Goal Five requires us to “create a learning climate based on trust and reverence for the dignity and uniqueness of each person.” Throughout Mayfield’s curriculum, student leadership programs, and service initiatives is the commitment to explore questions of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the context of Catholic Social Justice teaching.
Compelled by Holy Child Goal Four “to work for Christian principles of justice, peace, and compassion in every facet of life,” and inspired by the words of Pope Francis that, as Catholics, “we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form,” Mayfield Senior School community members embrace their responsibility to work as anti-racists for positive social change through “Actions Not Words.”
— Kate Morin, Head of School
We are a diverse and dynamic community and we need to intentionally ensure that we are creating a safe environment where everyone feels cherished and has the confidence to become the best versions of their true selves.
Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Education Initiatives
List of 9 items.
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Cultural Heritage Celebrations
Schoolwide events celebrate and raise awareness of the diverse heritage of our community, from creating an ofrenda each year on Día de los Muertos to honoring our nation’s Native inhabitants on Indigenous People’s Day. -
Diversity Council
This student-led group raises awareness and spearheads justice, diversity, equity and inclusion programming initiatives throughout the year. -
Diversity Programming
Our students regularly lead and participate in schoolwide and classroom conversations on topics like “Difficult Conversations” and “Diversity is Dignity and Belonging for Everyone.” -
Education & Conferences
Each year, our students, faculty and staff attend nationally-recognized summits to address diversity, equity and inclusion in education, including NAIS's People of Color Conference (POCC) and Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC).Read More -
Formation of Self Curriculum
Mayfield’s pioneering Formation of Self health and wellness program delves into topics including: individual and institutional values, identity, implicit bias, representation, stereotypes, microaggressions, allyship, intersectionality, race, and white privilege. -
Guest Speaker Programming
Throughout the year, guest speakers raise awareness of local and global social justice issues. Recent events include a presentation by Rev. Sean Carroll, S.J., Executive Director at the Kino Border Initiative (KBI) and a Holocaust Remembrance Day Assembly with Auschwitz survivor Joseph Alexander. -
Interfaith Prayer Services
We embrace members of all faith traditions at Mayfield, and we celebrate our diverse spiritual community at all-school interfaith prayer services. -
Service Learning & Social Justice
Through our theology service learning curriculum, Mayfield students become women of faith and hope who for whom service is a way of life. They examine contemporary issues of social justice—and injustice—and build social responsibility through action and contemplation.Read More -
Student Affinity Groups
Students explore and share their heritage and culture in affinity groups including Asian American, Filipina, and Latina. These student-led groups get together to celebrate, connect and create awareness.
Education in Action at Mayfield
List of 2 news stories.
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“Lead Me, Guide Me”—the sounds and sights of Mayfield’s Black History Month
Read MoreIf you happened to be on the Mayfield Senior School campus this February, you might have experienced something captivating happening every Wednesday during lunch hour. Large speakers would appear on porches and patios, and the usually quiet airways would be filled with rich, moving music. Jazz, gospel and protest music. There were some hip hop and R&B offerings too. Some pieces were haunting, some enthralling, some were so outrageously fun that made people break into spontaneous dance, while others were more contemplative and thought-provoking. There is something irresistible about music—especially powerful music—it can tell an important story that somehow makes everyone who hears it feel included in that story. All of these pieces were important compositions from Black musicians, and this was an embodied way to encounter this year’s theme for Black History Month at Mayfield: “Lead Me, Guide Me: Black History, Music & Liberation.” -
"Actions not Words" and a justice-oriented approach to service
Read MoreSomeone exploring the recently renovated 3rd floor of Strub Hall might have a double-take when passing the Campus Ministry office for the first time. Not only has the location changed slightly, the staff inside has changed as well. When Carol Fitzsimmons retired from Mayfield last year, there was an opportunity to explore the ways this office would be able to better serve the needs of our community. And once Kristina Ortega was hired as Service Coordinator—working with Campus Ministry Director Teri Gonzales— in addition to being Coordinator of Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (JDEI)—working with JDEI Director Amber Gravely—Ms. Gonzales felt her prayers were being answered. Ms. Gonzales often reflects on how justice work is intrinsically part of faith and service, and seeks to always highlight “Catholic social teaching and the scriptural life of Jesus” in the work of Campus Ministry. So any opportunities to make those connections more explicit at Mayfield was a great thing for her. Ms. Gonzales loved the idea of working with someone who had a foot in both departments, and sharing an office with them was a total perk because she firmly believes that, “JDEI needs to inform Campus Ministry and our faith also grounds our JDEI.”
We want to hear from you
As we continue to expand our justice, diversity, equity and inclusion programming, we are grateful for contributions from members of our Mayfield community.
- If you experienced or witnessed discrimination and/or inequities at Mayfield, please know we are here to listen. Feedback helps us to ensure every student feels like they belong at Mayfield. Please email Amber Gravely to start the conversation.
- If you have suggestions for appropriate educational resources or speakers, please email Amber Gravely.
- If you are interested in joining our Alum Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Board, please email the Alum Office.
Board of Trustees Statement
Grounded in the Mission of Mayfield Senior School, the Board of Trustees commits itself to anti-racism and holding itself accountable to address injustices through “Actions Not Words.” The Board affirms its support of initiatives for Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all aspects of the school.
Helpful Resources
Communication Guidelines
Here are some communication guidelines Mayfield students follow in class:
Actively listen with respect. Use your energy to listen to what is said before thinking about how to respond or rushing to judgment. Notice and name your own responses.
Speak from your own experience using “I” statements. “I don’t agree with what you said. In my experience...”
Acknowledge your feelings. If someone says something that hurts or offends you, do not attack the person. Acknowledge that the comment—not the person—hurt your feelings and explain why.
Challenge with care. Find ways to respectfully challenge others and be open to challenges of your own views. Think about how to question ideas without personal attacks.
Clarify. If you don’t understand something, ask a question.
Think with your head AND your heart.
One voice, all ears. Do not interrupt when others are speaking.
Lean into discomfort. We are all in process. Challenge yourself to contribute even if it is not perfectly formulated.
Assume the best intention of the other person; question your own motives
.........................................Adapted from AWARE-LA’s Communication Guidelines for a Brave Space, facinghistory.org, and the Fahs Collaborative at Meadville Lombard Theological School’s Beloved Conversations.
Exploring Identifiers
Mayfield’s sophomore curriculum includes 11 lessons on issues of diversity and inclusion. One class explores eight “identifiers” to help students build a new awareness of and relationship with all the elements that make up their unique selves. Here are some descriptions or examples of each:
Socioeconomic Status
My family doesn’t need to work to survive, middle class, working class
Age
Teenager, young adult, middle-aged, senior
Religion
Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Spiritual, Agnostic
Race
Native American, Asian, Latinx, Black, White, Middle Eastern, Mixed Race
Ability
Emotional, physical, cognitive or learning differences
Family Structure
Two parent, single parent, divorced parent, incarcerated parent, deceased parent, blended family, adopted, foster household
Sexuality
Sexual orientation or preference
Gender
How you act, dress and see yourself; how others see you
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Adapted from the National Association of Independent Schools and other sources.
What We're Reading
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Freedom is a Constant Struggle
by Angela Davis -
Passing
by Nella Larsen -
Race After Technology
by Ruha Benjamin -
To Know as We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey
by Parker J. Palmer
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Online Reference Resources
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AWARE-LA
Alliance of White Anti-Racists Everywhere is an all-volunteer alliance of white anti-racist people organizing to challenge racism and work for racial justice.
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Catholic Social Teaching (U.S. Conference of Bishops)
“Catholic social teaching is based on and inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity.”
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Facing History and Ourselves
Facing History and Ourselves uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate.
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Harvard University’s Project Implicit
Research project that assesses your conscious and unconscious preferences for over 90 different topics.
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NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC)
PoCC provides a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.
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NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC)
A multiracial, multicultural gathering of high school student leaders from across the U.S. and abroad that focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community.
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The National SEED Project
The National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Project partners with organizations and communities to develop leaders who guide their peers to drive change toward social justice.
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.