In an exciting milestone for NOAH, the first meeting of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Council took place last Tuesday. Among the highlights of this gathering was the selection of our JEDI Council Chair and Co-Chair, two individuals committed to advancing the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within our organization and beyond.
Tamara Baca, MPH, BS – JEDI Council Chair
Our newly appointed JEDI Council Chair is a passionate advocate for justice and equity, with a rich background in advocacy and diversity leadership. Her dedication to the cause of representation and her extensive experience make her an excellent leader for our council.
She expressed her motivation for taking on this crucial role:
I believe that everyone needs to be represented. Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community and Hispanic, I feel I can represent this community with my voice and my desire to bring JEDI to the forefront. Also, as the past chair of the Arizona Oral Health Coalition, there needs to be a representative for oral health equity. Finally, I have been a diversity champion for a previous healthcare system and I have received training on diversity leadership, so I feel I can use my knowledge to advance the clinic mission for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI).
Tamara Baca, MPH, BS
Maggie Hensley, RD – JEDI Council Co-Chair
Joining our Chair in leading the JEDI Council is our Co-Chair, a compassionate dietitian whose commitment to justice, fairness, and diversity makes her a crucial partner on our journey.
She shared her heartfelt reason for choosing to be a part of JEDI:
As a dietitian, I see firsthand the struggle, shame, and despair that weight stigma causes those in larger bodies. It set me down the path of fat activism, and I started to unlearn some of my own biases and acknowledge my many privileges. Then on May 25, 2020, the extent of my ignorance was made fully aware to me. Since then, my desire for liberation has extended to all of those suffering under oppression in any form. I’m excited to continue this ongoing process with this council and our organization as a whole so we can continue to provide all the humans we see with the care that they are inherently worthy of.
Maggie Hensley, RD
With such dynamic and passionate leaders at the helm, our JEDI Council is prepared to make significant strides in advancing our commitment to creating a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive world. We look forward to the transformative impact they will bring to our organization and the communities we serve.
