Diversity & Equity

Enough Said: Vermont Works for Women Report Released

VCF Staff — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:11:12 +0000

Vermont Works for Women released a report that reveals that many young women in Vermont describe themselves as ill-equipped and under-prepared for the challenges of school, work, career, economic independence, and adulthood—absolutes that await them in the not-too-distant future.

Read the report.

Nulhegan Abenaki attain first tribal forestland in more than 200 years

VCF Staff — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:22:03 +0000

The Nulhegan Abenaki officially took ownership of the first Nulhegan tribal forestland in 200 years on Monday. The 65-acre parcel, located off May Farm Rd. in Barton, will be an economic, educational, and cultural resource for the tribe. The tribe worked with the Vermont Land Trust and the Sierra Club to secure the forestland.

Read the full article

Commissioner Convenes Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying Prevention Advisory Council

VCF Staff — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Commissioner of Education Armando Vilaseca announced the formation of the Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying Prevention Advisory Council. The advisory council will provide a regular forum for communication and collaboration between Vermont’s Commissioner of Education and the community.

Read the full release

Burlington School District Names New Director Of Equity

VCF Staff — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:10:00 +0000

The Burlington High School coordinator of Students and Families has been named Director of Equity for the Burlington School District. In his new combined role, Henri Sparks will be focused on making sure the district administration is responding to any incidents of harassment, discrimination, or other inequities. The new position is part of a larger plan to address issues of race and bias that have cropped up in the district over the last few months.

Read the full article

Burlington school report on diversity sparks debate about equity

VCF Staff — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:28:17 +0000

Burlington High School math teacher David Rome is challenging a 2011 report that says students of color are not getting a fair shake in Burlington’s public schools. According to Rome, the report is misleading and wrongly suggests the Burlington High School in need of drastic change.

Link to full article

Vermont race crime, prison data troubling

VCF Staff — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:09:15 +0000

With its small but rapidly growing minority population, Vermont’s top law enforcement officials and lawmakers are trying to ensure the state’s minorities don’t feel the sting of discrimination. Yet discrimination appears to be finding its way into the actions of at least some members of Vermont’s law enforcement community

Link to full article

Vermont State Police study finds slight traffic-stop race disparity

VCF Staff — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:32:46 +0000

A study of almost 50,000 traffic stops by the Vermont State Police over a year found that minority drivers were more likely to be pulled over and ticketed and their vehicles searched than white drivers were, officials said Wednesday.

Link to full article

Report: Respectful Language Study in Vermont

VCF Staff — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:00:00 +0000

During the 2010 Legislative Session, the General Assembly of Vermont passed a bill which directed the Agency of Human Services to convene a workgroup to recommend guidelines for using respectful language in referring to people with disabilities.

Link to full report

Farm workers, Vermont governor discuss immigration issues

VCF Staff — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:35:01 +0000

A small group of farm workers and supporters say they were pleased with their meeting last week with Gov. Peter Shumlin and his legal counsel to discuss immigration issues in Vermont and ways to modify policing policies when it comes to migrant workers.

Link to full article

Transgender Vermonters Score Historic Legislative Victories – Under the Radar

VCF Staff — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:43:17 +0000

Gov. Peter Shumlin recently signed a bill that requires insurance companies to cover midwife-assisted births in Vermont. Buried in the new law — and virtually unnoticed by many — is a historic victory for the state’s transgender population.

Link to full article