On May 31st, nine department members gathered for the third Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Book Club meeting to discuss Melinda Gates’ book, “Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World.” Members came together to explore the book’s complex themes, which included how empowering women can reduce poverty and increase access to healthcare.
Gates wrote, “As women gain rights, families flourish, and so do societies. For me, love is the effort to help others flourish – and it often begins with lifting up a person’s self-image. Seeing ourselves as others is the moment of lift. The supreme goal for humanity is not equality but connection.”
The group shared thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences in a lively discussion about the factors that contribute to gender inequality around the world, including child marriage, unpaid labor, family planning, restricted access to education, and advocacy. Thanks to Avani Pendse, MD, PhD, and Wen-Chi Foo, MD, who hosted the discussion on behalf of the EDI Committee. They will host another book club meeting in fall 2023.
*Pictured back row left to right: Susan Watson, Wen-Chi Foo, MD, Avani Pendse, MD, PhD, Sarah Bean, MD, Rachel Factor, MD, MS; Front row left to right: Anne Buckley, MD, PhD, Shelley Sands, Sherry Harrell (not pictured: Jamie Botta, MBA)