AIR’s inaugural event was a march and rally honoring U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, an advocate for inclusion and the champion of Title IX. Hawai‘i’s blended society symbolizes of the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
We believe these words should never be removed from our vocabulary.
(Click photo for captions)
Allies pause at the statue of Patsy Mink in front of the Hawai‘i State Library to offer lei in honor of her fierce devotion to DEI.
AIR co-founder Chuck Freedman reads remarks by Wendy Mink, daughter of Patsy Mink: In my mother’s lifetime, it was people like you who made our polity more democratic, Who made rights visible and more enforceable, and who insisted that there is no justice if not for all. Today our democracy will survive only if we rise up to defend these principles.”
AIR founders with elected allies: L-R Chuck Freedman, State Rep. Della Au Belatti, Ann Botticelli, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, Hawai‘I Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, State Rep. Ikaika Hussey, Nanci Kreidman.
Veteran HR executive Sunshine Topping provides perspective on the attacks on DEI. “I have been a human resources executive for 25 years, and during that time I have hired thousands of people … not one single time has anyone pressured me, forced me, asked me to lower the qualifications for somebody who fits a DEI criteria. If people are talking about merit hiring and they are concerned about merit, hundreds of times in my career — and I’m not exaggerating — I have been asked to look the other way on minimum qualifications for people of privilege.”
