My name is Arlene Emmert, I work at ALHFAM member site Conner Prairie in Indiana and I am the current IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) committee chair. Today I want to take a bit of your time to talk over who we are and what we do! The ALHFAM IDEA committee was formed to take the lead on researching and creating organization-wide DEAI-related projects and initiatives for ALHFAM. We meet monthly and work to focus each meeting on projects and goals that will help set guidelines and support for DEAI across the organization.
Over the last few months that has meant a few different things. We created a DEAI statement for ALHFAM and consulted on the updated Code of Conduct for ALHFAM conferences. We also worked to evaluate what DEAI looks like at ALHFAM-hosted events to make sure diverse stories and information are shared and that sites are as accessible as possible to all members. We will soon begin to plan trainings for conference presenters and volunteers, and we are working on the language guide for use at ALHFAM events.
At the heart of all of our work, though, is the goal and desire to make sure that the skills and lifeways we are working to preserve as an organization reflect the diversity of voices from the past and are as available and accessible as possible to the diverse voices of today. As it says in the ALHFAM mission statement…We draw strength from our diverse network of members, sharing experience, research and passion for participatory learning.
As we work to grow and achieve our goals we are also aware that this work will be ongoing. While we look to set a standard for DEAI work moving forward, we know this is not something that can be done overnight. Nor is it a short list that we can check goals off of and then we can say we’re done. As such, the committee always welcomes new voices and perspectives. A current list of committee members and their contact information can be found on the IDEA committee page of the ALHFAM website if you want to reach out with questions, comments or concerns.
All this is to say that we are working as we move forward to reach out and step up and create standards that help us have impactful conversations. It has been noted in the past, in DEAI trainings and conversations I have attended, that often a large push for DEAI comes out of a point of crisis or conflict: A flashpoint where a person or organization has no choice but to step up or fall back. I will not say ALHFAM has been without conflict or disagreement–no large organization can–but we are continuing to work to step up, to look at our past as any good historian does, and learn from it.
The IDEA committee is working to set into place guides and plans to help us have honest, and hard, conversations that help us all grow and become more empathetic and kind. We can become a place where we share Inclusive history, a place where Diverse voices are always welcome, a place that practices Equity among our members, and a place where we prioritize Accessibility.
A place that is committed to increasing diversity amongst our membership and leadership.
A place where we strive to make sure all voices are heard and the history we share reflects a diversity of points of view by promoting discussion, engagement and learning.
A place that works to bring forth diversity in the stories we tell.
A place that supports ALHFAM members in the practice of inclusive history.
A place that supports ALHFAM members in their work to create safe spaces for staff and visitors to facilitate conversations about uncomfortable truths.
A place where those who participate who are from minority groups can feel safe to tell their stories or voice their concerns.
A place where we can preserve skills and lifeways for future generations no matter where they come from.
A place where we don’t just pass on physical skills but forge connections with those around us to create a more inclusive future.
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Arlene’s love of living history started at the young age of 4 on her first visit to Conner Prairie, the ALHFAM member site in Indiana where she now works. At the age of 11 she started volunteering there, and at the age of 18, when she grew too old for the youth volunteer program, she started as paid staff. This year marks 13 years for her out on the prairie, and while you can occasionally still find her working on the grounds with guests, usually demonstrating spinning and weaving, you will most often find her in the site’s costume shop in her role as costume assistant making, mending, and altering the clothing for the staff and volunteers.
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