Pathways to Action: Activities Subcommittee Spotlight

In this second installment of the Pathways to Action Subcommittee Spotlight Series, team members of Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health reflect on a visit to the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, organized by the Pathways to Action Activities Subcommittee. The mission of the Activities Subcommittee is to organize collective group activities for team members to learn together about diverse DEI topics, including systemic inequities, social justice, and inclusive culture, among others.

Exploring Equity and Social Justice: Reflections from a Visit to the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health (the Office) Equity Committee sponsored an interactive tour of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (Stowe Center). The team members in attendance had a unique opportunity to tour what was once Harriet Beecher Stowe's home and learn more about her life and how her controversial anti-slavery book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin changed America’s and the world’s views on slavery. Our visit served as a catalyst for introspection and dialogue, reinforcing the significance of confronting historical injustices and actively working toward a more equitable future.

In this blog, several team members who attended the tour share their reflections and takeaways within the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and community health work.

Embracing Conversations and Engagement

The Stowe Center's approach to tours, emphasizing interactive conversations and civil discourse, provided a refreshing departure from traditional museum experiences. Each tour is unique, driven by the perspectives and contributions of the participants, fostering an environment where meaningful dialogue on contemporary social issues can flourish. This inclusive approach resonated with our commitment to fostering empathy, empowerment, and positive change in our community.

Confronting Racism: Then and Now

Midway through the tour, as we sat in one of the Stowe house’s parlors surrounded by artifacts from Stowe’s era, our tour guides prompted us to consider the enduring presence of racism in our society and its impact on our work today. We engaged in discussions about the stark realities of racism in healthcare, particularly the Black maternal mortality crisis, which highlights the systemic biases and mistrust within the medical system and the extremely negative impact on Black women’s health if medical providers dismiss their lived experience and concerns. It was a sobering reminder of the importance of acknowledging and addressing racial disparities in our efforts toward equity and community health.

Preserving Personal Narratives

The historical documents displayed in the house, including bios and photos of enslaved individuals who inspired characters in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, underscored the danger of a single story. Recognizing the complexities and individual experiences that may be lost when narratives are generalized or anonymized is crucial. In our work, we must be vigilant about preserving the personal context and ownership of stories, ensuring responsible data and information sharing to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Our Conclusion: The Impact of Small Acts

The guide concluded our tour with a perspective that resonated deeply: small acts toward equity and social justice have a meaningful impact. We do not have to move mountains for DEI initiatives to demonstrate success and contribute to positive change. This takeaway reinforces the notion that every effort, no matter how modest, contributes to the collective journey toward a more just and equitable society.