This post on the Friends Life Care eMeetinghouse blog continues my discussion of the Quaker SPICES.  SPICES is the acronym for the Quaker testimonies: simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, stewardship.

In this entry, I will focus on Equality.  Although it is out of order with the acronym, it seemed quite appropriate as January is the month with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  And again this year, Friends Life Care is recognizing and commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with an internal event.  As I am Latina and therefore in the Hispanic minority, the belief in the importance of Equality is also personal to me.

“Do rightly, justly, truly, holy, equally, to all people in all things; and that is according to that of God in every man (person), and the witness of God, and the wisdom of God, and the life of God in yourselves…”

Source: Letters written by George Fox, 1661

What George Fox penned in 1661 is as relevant today as it was then.  It continues to be a guiding principle for Quakerism and for humanity.  Social justice and civil rights are parts of equality calling for respect for different people, races, religions, cultures and different ideas.  Because every single one of us carries the inner light of God, it goes without saying that we are all worthy.  Together, we can make the world a better place by bringing and sharing our own unique talents, diverse perspectives and selves.

Each and every one of us, as humans, harbor some unconscious biases.  They formed in us as we grew up in our community and culture and family and religion.  With this realization, I challenge myself to first be aware that these biases exist.  Then I seek to identify then debunk them.  Through active awareness, identification and actions to eradicate them from myself, I seek to be someone who truly embraces the value of Equality.

I feel fortunate that I work in an organization founded on Quaker values.  On January 17, the team at Friends Life Care was fortunate to have had the opportunity to hear from civil rights activist, minister and Board member Richard Fernandez.  He shared his story of rich experiences, knowledge gained and lives touched through his lifelong pursuit of social justice.  I invite you to also hear from him in this video done by the Kunhardt Film Foundation several years ago.  And I invite you to comment to this post with your own thoughts about Equality and what it means to you.

Post contributed by Joylyn Williamson

 

 

Joylyn Williamson, Inside Sales Manager

Joylyn joined Friends Life Care in 2017 as a sales manager and plan counselor on the sales and marketing team. She brings many years of experience with inside sales in both business-to-business and consumer.  Previously she held positions selling to vertical markets like the federal government and meeting tough sales quotas for technology and IT offerings.  She is excited to be a part of Friends Life Care and appreciates working in an organization guided by Quaker values.

Originally from Southern California, Joylyn has called the east coast home for over 20 years. Last year she relocated her 88-year-old father from California to her home in Pennsylvania.  She now manages his care as he has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. He is her favorite person; and she finds it an honor to care for the man who once took care of her.

Joylyn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Drama, TV and Film and completed some graduate studies in Communications at Regent University. Joylyn volunteers with a local theatre company performing onstage or working behind the scenes.