I was doing some digging and soul searching today and managed a couple of things:
1) As Chair of the Pride Alumni Community I hit a milestone. The registration form for March's Pride Summit has gone out to our email list, all of campus, and all alums within 60 miles!
2) I have been working with Xan from IWU's Office of Diversity and Inclusion and soon we will be working towards creating an updated Safe Zone Curriculum for campus (It hasn't been updated since 2018!). It got me thinking and a deep dive into my IWU email found me this:
Not only am I flabbergasted that I found a long lost image of the painting I created, I am so hopeful that this will continue to be a feature on the doors of many Staff and Faculty Members' offices.
3) Coming up in less than 2 weeks is my 4000th healthy day. What does this mean to me? It's been nearly 4000 days since I was last discharged from a hospital after voluntarily admitting myself for mental health reasons. I have come so far in those 3900+ days and I'm excited to celebrate with my friends and chosen family.
4) Last but not least, I have believed for a long time that silence favors the oppressor. In this day and age, my rights as a proud Trans* Non-Binary person are being challenged. As I would stand up for those that I hold dear to me, and a stranger in need, I hope the Allies in my life will choose to not take a passive stance when my freedoms are being challenged.
Moving forward, I hope to put myself first when needed and continue to be a source of hope and resilience for those who need it.
Much love,
Aaron Harris Woodstein
(They/She)
Comments