Welcome all to 2022! What a year 2021 was for all of us! It was a year of firsts and a year of lasts for a lot in our industry. Together we faced soars of demand and material shortages. We faced all of the things that COVID brought along for the 2nd year. We saw changes in labor and in availability. We have seen changes in nearly everything within our industry and further into our world.
Last year was the first full year of the DEI committee. First and foremost, we would like to thank NWIR for seeing the importance of this committee and the opportunity we’ve been granted to spearhead our industry into its future.
2021 was a year of firsts for us, which made it a year of firsts for NWIR. We are proud of the work we’ve done and are looking forward to the important work that lies ahead of us. This year, NWIR celebrated and presented the following:
Black History Month
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Pride Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
Veteran’s Day
While that may not seem like much, it was 6 more steps closer to each woman in our industry feeling included. It was six steps in the right direction of women feeling compelled to share their stories.
2022 will be even bigger. More steps forward in the right direction and pushing the needle. This year, DEI will host NWIR’s first ever Monday event following NWIR Day- Books, Balance, & Brunch. We are also looking forward to DEI education this year. Stay tuned for all that is to come and learn!
Tackling DEI is an ongoing and ever changing spectrum of challenges and exploration. While we navigate the ever changing and ever blooming world around us, remember to be kind and give grace to all. Do not fear what you do not know and walk with us in our journey of changing our industry and our world for the better.
If you have any ideas for features in the coming year, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. All ideas are welcome and appreciated. Drop by a DEI meeting this year also! We would LOVE to see you there!