The Future of Aging Blog

The room was packed at the diversity luncheon at AAHSA’s 2009 Annual Meeting in Chicago. Leaders from all over the U.S. gathered together for an intimate conversation about diversity in aging services.

Win Marshall, AAHSA’s newly inducted 2010 board chair and CFO of Christian Church Homes of Northern California, opened the luncheon moments after his historic and groundbreaking ”Man in the Mirror“  acceptance speech.

Marshall reminded us all of the importance of being inclusive. He then introduced Margaret Garcia, the Senior Center Program Manager at the Pueblo of Jemez in New Mexico. She offered a inspiring reflection in her native language and brought a gift to raffle off to one lucky audience member. It was a storyteller made by an elder in her Pueblo, because, as she notes, Pueblo culture is about listening and learning from one another.

“As our elders have told us, if you listen, you will hear,” said Garcia.

As people moved onto dessert, the panel discussion began. Four panelists, with the help of Christopher Ridenhour, director of Core Competency at Liberty Lutheran Services in Philadelphia, opened up with a discussion of our perceived differences.

After talking with the audience about their experiences, Ridenhour asked each panel member to share if there are times in their life they are aware that they are not in the majority.

“Diversity comes in all shapes and sizes. As folks begin to share their stories we will find differences, but we will certainly find more similarities,” he said.

The luncheon included a lively and fascinating discussion about how we can be intentional about sharing and learning from one another’s cultures. For example, simple things such as saying “hello” are done differently for everyone. Some people shake hands, some kiss cheeks, some only say hello. Before communicating with someone, always take a moment to consider what you are going to say.

One panelist, a Pakistani-American born in Wichita, Kan., and raised in Texas, discussed her frustration with some questions she gets from acquaintances. She said people get flustered when they ask her where she is from and she says Texas. She stressed that if you are asking a question about someone’s heritage, then ask them about their heritage.

As you are getting to know people remember, “Everyone is different, but we are all equal,” summarized one panelist. The luncheon ended with members of the audience sharing what diversity means to them. Words such as excitement, inclusion and sharing were heard.  As if on queue, the last person who spoke before the program ended shouted, “AAHSA!”