W&M PI BETA PHI
DEI RECRUITMENT RESOURCES
National Fraternity Statement: Pi Beta Phi’s Commitment to DEI
As true friends, we honor the uniqueness of each sister. We empower one another, through meaningful relationships grounded in empathy. We promise an inclusive sisterhood, where every member feels welcome, is supported, and knows they belong.
As the first fraternity for women, we own our role and responsibility in the fraternal movement. We recognize our power and privilege as college-educated women, to work for an equitable society. We commit to develop the servant leaders our diverse world needs.
To learn more, visit https://www.pibetaphi.org/about/dei
Message to PNMs from the VA Gamma Vice President of Inclusion
Dear PNMs,
With recruitment right around the corner, the VA Gamma chapter of Pi Beta Phi wanted to take the time to pay respect to the DEI issues that are apparent in the framework of our greater organization. Founded in 1867, a time when inequality was greatly evident, our fraternity was inherently built upon these flaws of our nation's past. When Pi Beta Phi was established here at William & Mary in 1925, this specific framework was adopted as well, and this reality has tainted our present.
Despite this foundational framework, we as a chapter are committed to creating a more equitable society and fostering an inclusive sisterhood that is accessible and welcoming towards all individuals regardless of race, religious affiliation, ethnicity, physical ability, or sexual orientation. As the first fraternity for women, we live out our responsibility of critically engaging with our past and strive to improve in all areas related to DEI. We persist to stand against practices, whether in our chapter or the broader William & Mary community, that harm or discriminate against others.
We welcome all PNMs to engage with us in all things DEI before, during, or after recruitment. Our chapter will continue to foster self-growth and work towards creating a fair and just fraternity and sorority life where aspects of diverse identity will never be a barrier to entry.
Our sisters are so excited to meet you at recruitment and encourage you to come as you are, and be yourself. As always, we send you all our Pi Phi love, and cannot wait to see you so soon!
Pride Month Resources
& Disability Pride Month
Pride Month: Pride Month takes place in June every year, honoring June 1969 which served as a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. That June, the Stonewall Uprising – where patrons of a popular New York City establishment stood up to police raids – spurred protests that would become the start of the modern LGBTQ+ movement. The next year, the very first Pride march was held in June, and since then communities have gathered together to celebrate Pride through marches, advocacy, and celebrations. In 2000, June was officially recognized as Pride Month as an annual observance of the history, contribution, and rights of LGBTQ+ people in America.
Resource Lists:
https://www.glaad.org/resourcelist
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/
https://www.glsen.org/resources/student-and-gsa-resources
Social Media Toolkits:
https://polarisproject.org/pride-month-social-media-toolkit/
https://www.glaad.org/publications/pridekit
https://www.socialworkers.org/News/1000-Experts/Media-Toolkits/LGBTQ
https://pipnj.org/pride/#sm%20images
Disability Pride Month: There are an estimated 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide. Their contributions benefit us all. In the United States, July is Disability Pride Month. It marks the 1990 enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark U.S. rights law that extended civil rights protections to persons with disabilities and assured that all Americans would benefit from their talents.
Disability is broader than you think.
Juneteenth
Juneteenth: Juneteenth is an annual holiday to commemorate the contributions made by Black Americans, their resilience in overcoming their history of enslavement, and their continued fight against systemic racism. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in 2021.
How can you celebrate Juneteenth?
Why celebrating Juneteenth is more important now than ever?
Important Dates:
June 2025
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National Caribbean American Heritage Month
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Pride Month
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June 4 — The Hajj begins
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June 5-9 — Eid al-Adha
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June 5 – World Environment Day
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June 9 — The Hajj ends
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June 8 — Race Unity Day
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June 12 — Loving Day
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June 17— LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day
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June 19 — Juneteenth
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June 20 – World Refugee Day
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June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada)
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June 28 — Pride Day
July 2025
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Disability Pride Month
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French American Heritage Month
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July 18 — South Asian Heritage Month begins
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June 26-27— Islamic New Year
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July 26 — Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary
Black History Month
Officially started in 1926 as an endeavor into the scholarship of African American history, and recognized in 1976 as part of the United States’ Bicentennial celebrations, Black history month is celebrated through the month of February! The month is dedicated, each year under a specific theme, to different aspects of the Black experience in the US. This year’s theme, titled Black Resistance by the ASALH, highlights Black resistance to oppression and discrimination throughout the history of the United States.
As Pi Phis, we are constantly looking for ways to deepen and broaden our understanding of history and identity, whether it be that of others or our own. Here are some resources to check out throughout this month (and the rest of the year, of course) that might expand your own understanding:
Books:
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The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones
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A Taste of Power: A Black Woman’s Story by Elaine Brown
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Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Survived Slavery and Became Millionaires by Shomari Wills
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The Autobiography of Malcom X: As Told to Alex Haley by Malcom X
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The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
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Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston
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Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions by Francesca T. Royster
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Huey: Spirit of the Panther by David Hilliard
Podcasts:
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The MLK Tapes by Tenderfoot TV
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Black History Buff Podcast
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Celebrate Black History Month With NPR on Spotify
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Serial: Nice White Parents on Apple Podcasts
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Historically Black on Spotify
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The Nod from Gimlet Media on Spotify
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Black History Year by Pushback on Apple Podcasts
Art and Literature:
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The Archives Foundation: Virtual Programs (Highlight - Freedom Summer Inspiring Young Voters)
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Black History Documentaries: HISTORY Vault (Highlight - Black Aviators: Flying Free
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Black History Month)
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Library of Congress & National Endowments for History
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‘Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience.’ at the Smithsonian National Museum of *African American History and Culture
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home/black-history-month-books
https://www.bookpeople.com/black-history-month-2023
https://www.esowonbookstore.com/books-black-panther-party-self-defense
https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/
https://resonaterecordings.com/curated-podcast-lists/black-history-month-podcasts/
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
https://watch.historyvault.com/topics/black-history
https://blackhistorymonth.gov/
https://nmaahc.si.edu/reckoning
https://asalh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2023-Black-History-Theme-Executive-Summary.pd
Roe v. Wade
Basic History of Roe v Wade:
Roe v Wade is a legal case that was presented to the US Supreme Court on January 22, 1973 that found the state regulation of abortion to be unconstitutional because it violates women’s right of privacy.
Explanation of 2022 Supreme Court Decision:
The overturning of Roe v Wade on June 24, 2022 means that the federal government doesn’t have a right to regulate what states decide to do about abortion anymore; the choice is now up to the state. This has a significant impact on the lives of pregnant women in conservative states that place heavy restrictions on abortion.
Trigger Bans = new laws that went into effect directly after Roe v Wade was rolled back by anti-abortion legislators in many conservative states
Ex. Georgia, Ohio and Idaho: banned abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy
The Turnaway Study:
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Conducted at the University of California, San Francisco
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Conclusions of study found that denial of abortion can give way to years of financial hardship for the mother:
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Lower credit score
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Increase debt
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Increase reliance on federal programs to support low income households
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More like to stay with violent partner
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Worse child development
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Poor maternal bonding
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Virginia Abortion Laws (as of June 24, 2022):
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Abortions remain legal in Virginia in the First and Second trimesters
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Abortions remain legal in third trimester IF pregnancy is “likely to result in death of the pregnant individual or substantially and irremediably impair the mental or physical health of the women”
Resources/Organizations For Help & Education:
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Guttmacher Institute https://www.guttmacher.org
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A leading research and policy organization that is committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health & rights
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Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org
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National Abortion Federation https://prochoice.org Donations to NAF:
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$25 - help patients get to abortion appointment & provide virtual serves
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$100 - covers a nights stay for patients forced to travel for abortion care
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$150 - support online chat tool and hotline staff helping patients seeking abortion care
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Center for Reproductive Rights https://reproductiverights.org Global human rights organization of lawyers and advocates who ensure reproductive rights are protected in law
Related Resources at William & Mary:
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Health Center
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Counseling Center (757-221-3620)
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The Haven
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WM Care Support Services ((757) 221-2511) care@wm.edu
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Medical injuries or emergencies
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Emotional challenges or emergencies
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Personal challenges or concerns
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Serious Academic Concerns
Sources/Learn More:
Totenberg, Nina, and Sarah McCammon. “Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade, Ending Right to Abortion Upheld for Decades.” NPR, NPR, 24 June 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/06/24/1102305878/supreme-court-abortion-roe-v-wade-decision-overturn
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Roe v. Wade". Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Jun. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/event/Roe-v-Wade Accessed 24 June 2022.
Research team, University of California San Francisco. “The Turnaway Study.” ANSIRH, 15 Aug. 2022, https://www.ansirh.org/research/ongoing/turnaway-study.
Staff, NBC Washington. “Abortion Laws in DC, Maryland, Virginia: What Happens after Roe v. Wade Ruling.” NBC4 Washington, NBC4 Washington, 24 June 2022,https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/abortion-laws-in-dc-maryland-virginia-what-happens -after-roe-v-wade-ruling/3077882/.