Heritage Month Mailings

Honoring Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month

Dear Campus Community,

Each November, we recognize Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month—a dedicated moment of intentional reflection and celebration, honoring the histories, cultures, and traditions of Indigenous peoples and communities. Seattle University joins in this national observance with gratitude and respect for the First Nations, Inuit, and Native American tribes who have stewarded this land since time immemorial—guiding us toward deeper understanding and care for all of creation.

Building on our recent commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, this month invites us to listen intently to Indigenous voices and to celebrate the knowledge, resilience, and enduring contributions that Indigenous communities bring to every facet of life. At the same time, it also urges us to confront the historic and ongoing injustices that Indigenous peoples face, and to reaffirm our shared commitment to justice and healing. We encourage all to learn, engage, and build community through the Indigenous Peoples Institute, Center for Indian Law and Policy, and our various student-led organizations.

In line with our LIFT SU principles, and in support of our commitment to pursuing inclusive excellence, we recognize that fostering inclusion means amplifying voices from a variety of perspectives. We have invited one of our colleagues to share reflections on what Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month means to her. We offer deep gratitude to Jill La Pointe, MSW, for sharing her story and perspective, and trust that you will receive her words with openness.

Jill La Pointe, MSW
Senior Director Indigenous Peoples Institute

dxʷʔal gʷəlapuʔ, dsyaʔyaʔ, dʔiišəd (to all of you dear ones, friends and relatives). tsisqʷux̌ʷał tsi sdaʔ, skaxʷəbš čəd. tsisqʷux̌ʷał is my ancestral name, and the Upper Skagit people are where I come from. Although there are 574 Federally recognized tribes in the United States, there are still another 400 that are not recognized. Each tribal Nation has their unique histories, culture, language, and narratives. As Indigenous people, we are still here, surviving and thriving.

I was fortunate to grow up with my grandmother, Vi taqʷšəblu Hilbert, who was a storyteller and culture bearer. She guided and helped me retain connections within our tribe and general Indigenous communities. There are too many who, for one reason or another, are not so fortunate. It is widely acknowledged that those who have a strong sense of identity through culture have better overall wellness. Positive cultural identity grows out of visibility and positive representation of one’s culture in society. Our traditional ways of knowing and understanding the world haven’t always been recognized by academic communities. My elders taught us that the Earth is our first teacher. The Red Cedar is highly prized in this region and teaches us generosity. The Big Leaf Maple is another favorite here. It is often covered with mosses, lichens and licorice ferns. It reminds us to have willingness – to try on different experiences, and to be willing to let go of things that no longer serve us – like the beautiful crimson leaves that burst with vibrant color and then fall off the trees every autumn.

The late Bruce Subiyay Miller, from the Skokomish tribe, reminded us that in traditional times people were gifted with unique talents, information or skills. This required us to work cooperatively. Everyone in the community was taken care of by working together. I was brought up to listen not only with my ears, but with my eyes and with my heart. When our tribal communities prepare and come together there is much thanksgiving expressed. I continually strive to be more like my ancestors, who had tremendous gratitude and compassion for all living beings.

Resources and Renewal to Inclusion
To show support throughout Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month, we invite you to visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website to find inspiring Zoom backgrounds, and a range of other educational resources.

As we celebrate Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month—carrying its spirit forward beyond November—let us honor the enduring legacies, achievements, and wisdom of Indigenous peoples, whose contributions continue to enrich our collective story and illuminate paths toward deeper understanding and reconciliation. Equally, this moment also calls us to renew our commitment to addressing the inequities and discrimination these communities endure, and to work together toward building a campus where all are respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Sincerely,

Eduardo M. Peñalver, President

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Honoring Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month

Dear Campus Community,

Today marks the beginning of our annual observance of Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, which spans September and October, aligning with celebrations of independence of various countries. This month invites the opportunity to reflect on and commemorate the enduring impact that the Hispanic and Latin American community has had—and continues to have—on the story of the United States. We acknowledge that the terms “Hispanic” and “Latin American” encompass a diversity of identities, histories, and traditions. Each community brings its own experiences, culture, and perspectives, all of which enrich our collective narrative and deserve to be honored in their individuality.

The legacies of achievement, creativity, and resilience within these communities are woven deeply into the fabric of our society. At a time when deepened understanding and appreciation are more important than ever, we commit to building a supportive and empowering university for our students, faculty, and staff who identify as members of the Hispanic and Latin American community. The significance of the current context calls us to commit to finding common ground and pursuing flourishing and wellbeing for all.

In line with our LIFT SU principles, and in support of our commitment to pursuing inclusive excellence, we recognize that fostering inclusion means amplifying voices from a variety of perspectives. We have invited two of our colleagues to share their reflections on what Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month means to them. We offer deep gratitude to Eddie Salazar, EdD, and Professor Carmen Rivera, MSc, for sharing their stories and perspectives, and trust that you will receive their words with openness.

Eddie Salazar, EdD
Administrative Coordinator, Mission Integration

I grew up in El Paso, Texas in a Mexican-American family. While we were generally lower-middle class, we had all that we needed. We lived in quite a diverse neighborhood that included Black, Asian, and Jewish neighbors. And we had a very large extended family. I had many relatives, and we would gather often for very large family gatherings. Not only did we visit grandparents on both sides of family, but we also relied on Great Grandma to guide us. Indeed, it was always the strong women who ran the family. In Latino culture, there is a sense of machismo, or male dominance, but that is largely a myth. Everyone was in on the joke. The women let the men think that they were in charge. But everyone knew better.

Several times a month, my family went to Juárez, Mexico to do all of our grocery shopping, haircuts, dry cleaning, car wash, and a nice restaurant meal. In my youth, the US/Mexican border was quite open. Drug smuggling was generally not a problem. Ironically, my family became adept at car smuggling by sneaking banned produce like avocados and limes. Mexican nationals came to El Paso to work in maquiladora plants, and returned in the evening, and US workers would go to tech plants in Juárez. My brother was one of those workers. And families from both countries easily crossed to visit families, and shop. Tourism was strong on both sides. How different things are now!

On this Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, I reflect on what border means. As I’ve shared, growing up we did not observe borders. And as I ponder borders today, I am faced with coming to terms with identities, those of my own and those of others. Who is in and who is out.

Latina scholar Gloria Anzaldúa describes those identities as rubbing together creating an open wound, and yet something is always reborn:

“The struggle is inner: Chicano, indio, American Indian, mojado, mexicano, immigrant Latino, Anglo in power, working class Anglo, Black, Asian--our psyches resemble the bordertowns and are populated by the same people. The struggle has always been inner, and is played out in outer terrains.”

“The U.S-Mexican border es una herida abierta [open wound] where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages again, the lifeblood of two worlds merging to form a third country — a border culture.”

We all negotiate borders. Our own, and on behalf of others. In that agony, a new world is born.

Carmen Rivera, MSc
Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Recruitment, Assistant Teaching Professor, College of Arts and Sciences

As I reflect on Hispanic and Latin American History Month, there is a Taíno legend that comes to mind: A goddess fell in love with someone named Coquí. Despite all her effort, her love was taken away by Juracán, the feared god of hurricanes and storms. In her grief, the goddess created many little frogs to call out her love's name for all eternity.

The Coquí, one of the smallest frogs, can never be drowned out due to their collective power, and are symbolic to the people of Puerto Rico. Like the goddess, all Hispanic and Latino American people have experienced immense loss, especially with the latest Supreme Court shadow docket decision. Once again, evil has seemed to prevail. However, our collective power is undeniable.

The Jesuits' service to faith has long established the advocacy of justice as an unconditional necessity. In 1975, at the General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits deemed, "The service of faith and the promotion of justice are inseparable." Plainly stated, post the assassination of Dr. King, during the rise of the racially charged and violent war on drugs, they incorporated notes from liberation theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez of Peru, who knew theology must begin with the lived experience of the impoverished, persecuted, and marginalized.

At the heart of our academic excellence is our Jesuit value in serving as social justice warriors in the face of injustice. Fellow Boricua, Justice Sonia Sotomayor's dissent stated, "We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low-wage job."

We do not have to live in such a country.

As we move forward in Hispanic and Latin American History Month and the academic year, let us remember we can be courageous in speaking out against injustice, together. We can be armed with our minds and equipped with our academic rigor, not only as those who empower leaders for a just and humane world, but as informed examples of leading with courage in an unjust and inhumane world.

“Soy de aquí, como el coquí.”

Resources and Renewal to Inclusion
To show support throughout Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, we invite you to visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website to find inspiring Zoom backgrounds, and a range of other educational resources.

Throughout Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month and beyond, we honor the rich heritage, achievements, and enduring strength of these vibrant communities. At the same time, we renew our shared commitment to confronting racism and bigotry and to fostering a campus environment where every individual is embraced with respect, dignity, and belonging.

Sincerely,

Eduardo M. Peñalver, President

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Honoring LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

Dear Campus Community,

As we welcome Pride Month, Seattle University reaffirms our deep appreciation for and unwavering support of all LGBTQIA+ members of our campus community. While we honor and celebrate this community year-round, June offers a dedicated moment to commemorate the diverse perspectives, meaningful contributions, and immense value that LGBTQIA+ individuals bring to our community and beyond. Rooted in resilience, courage, and hope, the Pride movement continues to inspire and unite us. Seattle University is strengthened by the presence of our LGBTQIA+ community, and we proudly remain steadfast in our commitment to affirming, uplifting, and empowering our LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff.

Pride Month also serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing discrimination, violence, and injustice this community continues to face. Despite progress, LGBTQIA+ rights are still under attack. It is important now more than ever that we stand in resolute solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ community members and reaffirm our shared commitment to fighting alongside them in pursuit of equity, justice, and belonging.

In line with our LIFT SU principles, and in support of our commitment to pursuing inclusive excellence, we recognize that fostering inclusion means amplifying voices from a variety of perspectives. We have invited two of our colleagues to share their reflections on what LGBTQIA+ Pride Month means to them. We offer deep gratitude to Dale Watanabe and Dean Watstein for sharing their stories and perspectives, and trust that you will receive their words with openness.

Dale H. Watanabe
Director, International Student and Scholar Center

“I do not love you any less,” is what my mother said to me when I told her I was gay. It was the most wonderful sentence I have ever heard. I had not planned to come out to my mother that Saturday evening in 2015, but several weeks earlier my local church pastor asked me to tell my story at the Sunday service and I knew I needed to tell my mother I was giving a testimony (in retrospect, I am not sure what I would have done if she said not to). My pastor had an idea that he wanted my church to become a reconciling United Methodist Church, meaning that it would be publicly affirming to LGBTQ+ individuals, and that my testimony could help push that conversation forward.

My mom was front and center when I spoke from the pulpit. My family, including my queer nephew and my partner were also in the audience. Although I was already out to most of my friends and at work, this was the first time that I publicly acknowledged my true self to my church. The internal battle that I fought in my own head was the rhetoric that you cannot be gay and Christian. I was surrounded by this message for years that the two were not compatible and that thought flame was hard to extinguish. It was easier to hide who I was inside. Since my mom was very involved at church, it was easier to not tell her and compartmentalize that part of my life at church.

Today, thanks to the leadership of my church’s first female Senior Pastor and our former Youth Director, Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church on Seattle’s Beacon Hill is a reconciling congregation. After several steps over the last few years, the congregation came together with a powerful voice of love and acceptance. In November 2023 the church officially voted in favor. Finally, I can proudly be who I am in all areas of my life. Pride month is about being yourself. Be proud of who you are now and always. Happy Pride.

Dean Sarah Barbara Watstein, MLS, MPA
Dean, Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons

Being gay is a deeply personal experience. For me, it encompasses identity and self-discovery, community and belonging, navigating a heteronormative world, relationships and love, and sexual orientation and attraction. Fundamentally, being gay has always been about connecting with and being part of the LGBTQ+ community and the values espoused by this community. This community provides a sense of belonging, support, and shared experiences. It is also a source of pride and empowerment.

Celebrating Gay Pride is also a deeply personal experience. It is about challenging discrimination and stigma, celebrating diversity, and advocating for equal rights. Gay Pride Month reminds me of all of this.

I have been involved in the LGBTQ+ rights movement as long as I can remember. My father was a lawyer, a professional pianist, and a champion of both political and civil liberties. He was a powerful voice and a force – in and out of the courtroom. I remember at one point, one of his clients was a Black man, which, where I grew up in rural Connecticut in the late 50s and 60s was highly unusual. I remember going with my father to meet that man at his home. It was not long after that someone threatened to kill my father. Sensitivity around social justice issues extends back – way, way back, into my childhood.

There wasn’t one specific event or experience that drove me into becoming active and engaged in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Yes, I did lose 50+ friends to HIV/AIDS while living in New York City in the 1980s, but that wasn't the experience that moved me into getting involved – and staying involved, with Act Up and the Gay Men's Health Crisis. I was sensitized to, and propelled into, activism in my childhood. It's in my DNA.

Activism to affect social, political, or economic change is deeply ingrained in my sense of self. All my interests, work, writing, and activism are a part of who I am–– personally, professionally, and socially. I have worked in academic libraries for my entire career and believe that libraries–– academic, public, and special libraires––are the greatest social infrastructure that our county has. The core values of librarianship are inherently connected with what LGBTQ+ represents to me : access, equity, intellectual freedom and privacy, public good, and sustainability. The American Library Association's Core Values articulate the profession’s principles and highest aspirations. As Dean, Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, these values inform and fuel who I am, how I lead, and what I do.

Jesuit college and university library deans and directors have a role in defending intellectual freedom, raising funds, and sustaining our libraries. And we have a responsibility to work to reduce the cost of course materials and ensure that our libraries remain places of opportunity, equity, and support. Working to open doors, break down barriers, and help our students navigate and build a future that matters are incredibly important. This is passion-fueled, values-informed work – much like my work in the LGBTQ rights movement. Gay Pride Month reminds me of this and validates it through and through.

Resources and Renewal to Inclusion
To show support throughout LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, we invite you to visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website to find inspiring Zoom backgrounds, and a range of other educational resources.

As we celebrate Pride Month, let us honor the remarkable contributions and profound impact the LGBTQIA+ community has made. Let us also reaffirm our commitment to fighting the persistent forces of hate and discrimination faced by this community, and to building spaces where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive.

Sincerely,

Eduardo M. Peñalver, President

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Dear Campus Community,

With the arrival of May, Seattle University joins in observing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time set aside to recognize the depth, diversity, and influence of AAPI communities. While ‘Asian American and Pacific Islander’ is officially designated, the AAPI community represents a broad constellation shaped by distinct ethnicities, languages, cultures, histories, and lived experiences. For example, one may encounter terms such as ‘Asian Pacific Islander Desi American’ (APIDA) and ‘Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander’ (AANHPI), each offering a unique way of naming this diversity. While language may differ, our purpose does not. We seek to recognize and celebrate the individuals, stories, and contributions that enrich our university community. To those across our campus who identify as part of these communities and our alumni, your presence plays an integral role in shaping who we are.

This month also invites more than recognition. It calls for honesty about the realities AAPI communities have faced and continue to face. Alongside meaningful achievements are histories marked by exclusion, inequity, and harm that still resonate today including new waves of anti-Asian and anti-immigration hate and discrimination. As a Jesuit Catholic university, we remain steadfast in strengthening belonging, addressing injustice, and standing in support of AAPI communities. For many – spanning a range of identities, national origins, and citizen-related statuses – this moment may be rife with added uncertainty and fear. As a learning community, we can meet this moment with intention in caring, educating, and embracing shared responsibility to challenge inequity and promote thriving.

In line with our LIFT SU principles and commitment to inclusive academic excellence, fostering inclusion means amplifying voices from a variety of perspectives. Through listening and learning, our community grows stronger. In that spirit, we have invited two colleagues to reflect on what Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month means to them, sharing perspectives that help deepen our understanding and connection as a campus community. We offer deep gratitude to Andrea Fontana and Dean Butch de Castro, and trust that you will receive their words with openness.

Andrea Fontana
Associate Director
Center for Jesuit Education

When I began this reflection, I remembered that while I primarily identify as Asian American, I also have a connection to Pacific Islanders! My dad and paternal grandmother are New Zealand–born Chinese, and my mom migrated to New Zealand from China as a teenager.

As I learned more about AAPI Heritage Month, I was struck that May commemorates both the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrants to the U.S. (May 7, 1843) and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (May 10, 1869), built largely by Chinese laborers. The latter made me think about my own family history. My parents’ ancestors also left China for a gold rush in New Zealand, supporting miners as market gardeners.

Early Chinese immigrants in the U.S. were blamed for disease and faced harsh discrimination—something that felt painfully familiar during COVID-19. After the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and its subsequent renewals, immigration laws in 1965 again allowed Chinese immigrants, this time favoring highly educated individuals and skilled workers. This is how my father came to the U.S., as a Fulbright Scholar with a PhD in mathematics. I’m grateful for the opportunities that education has opened for our family, while also recognizing those left out.

Even being invited to share this reflection feels significant. I don’t often feel visible as an Asian American woman in mainstream culture. A friend once observed that many of her Asian friends tend to ask questions and listen, rather than speak about themselves. That helped me understand why I sometimes feel unknown in spaces where I’ve spent years.

I also see this pattern on an institutional level. People of Asian descent are often overlooked in conversations about race and less frequently seen as leaders, shaped by assumptions about what leadership should look like.

I can thankfully say I have felt more belonging than exclusion over my long tenure at SU. I have also enjoyed watching the student body grow more diverse. With SU now an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI), I invite us to consider:

• How are we prioritizing resources to see and support AANAPI students?
• How are we learning from their diverse experiences? How can we better reflect those experiences in how we teach, lead, build community, and care for them?
• How can we respond not only through cura personalis but also through culturally informed pedagogy, policies, and practices so that we may lower barriers for, recognize and celebrate the gifts of the AANAPI community?

Butch de Castro, PhD, MSN/MPH, RN, FAAN
Charles M. Pigott Endowed Dean
College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month reminds me to pause for intentional reflection on my Filipino-American identity. Annually for this occasion, I revisit Carlos Bulosan’s book, “America is in the Heart,” published in 1943. A semi-autobiographical memoir of journeying from the Philippines to the U.S., it recounts experiences as a migrant worker throughout west coast states laboring in agricultural and fishing industries during 1930s America. Reflecting the times, the story characterizes the hardships that Filipino immigrant men endured as they were subjected to exploitation, discrimination, hatred, and violence, while endeavoring to make better lives for themselves amidst the opportunity of “America.” Despite depictions of institutional, systematic injustice, Bulosan maintains hope and idealism through frustration and despair. A passage that keeps me humbled and inspired (though recognizing its dated solely referencing of men) is,…

‘It is but fair to say that America is not a land of one race or one class of men. We are all Americans that have toiled and suffered and known oppression and defeat, from the first Indian that offered peace in Manhattan to the last Filipino pea pickers. America is not bound by geographical latitudes. America is not merely a land or an institution. America is in the hearts of men that died for freedom; it is also in the eyes of men that are building a new world. America is a prophecy of a new society of men: of a system that knows no sorrow or strife or suffering. America is a warning to those who would try to falsify the ideals of freemen.’

While “America is in the Heart” is cornerstone to Filipino-American history, it is core to the Filipino-American story I am privileged to live out and which continues to unfold for the Filipino-American community. I take this moment to hold my utang na loob (debt of gratitude) to honor the struggles along with achievements of prior generations of Filipino-Americans as foundation upon which I am fortunate to rise to and hold a leadership position at Seattle University. [The Carlos Bulosan Exhibit is housed in the Eastern Hotel in Seattle’s International District.]

Resources and Renewal to Inclusion

To show support throughout Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we invite you to explore a range of resources and events. Visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website to find inspiring Zoom backgrounds, a range of other educational resources, and in the coming weeks, a full recording of Professor Sital Kalantry’s recent Red Talk, “Indian Americans: From ‘Model Minority’ to ‘Job Thief’.” (Watch the promo video now). Additionally, the community is invited to celebration and educational programming hosted by the Asian American Studies Program and MOSAIC Center that include screening of the short film, Paper Daughter, followed by a panel discussion led by the director and Seattle University faculty. The event - AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration - is scheduled for Thursday May 28th, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in Wycoff Auditorium and Lobby with more details to come.

As we honor Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage this month and beyond, we recognize the depth of impact and lived experience within this community and beyond. We also renew our commitment to addressing racism, xenophobia, pushing forward equity, and sustaining the ongoing work of creating a community where inclusion is actively practiced and meaningfully upheld.

Sincerely,

Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., Interim President

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Honoring Women's History Month

Dear Campus Community,

Yesterday marked the beginning of Women’s History Month. Seattle University takes this moment to recognize the countless efforts, accomplishments, and impacts women have had on our world. Whether we look globally or within our Seattle University community, we are blessed with the incredible innovation, leadership, and wisdom from women across a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. In every industry including higher education, women move through boardrooms, athletic spaces, classrooms, and communities in profound ways that highlight their ability to lead with perseverance, care, and fortitude. To all women in our midst – students, staff, faculty, and alumni, we share in your successes and offer gratitude for who you are and what you bring to this university community.

As International Women’s Day celebrates 115 years and the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women holds its seventieth session, we acknowledge that the fight for gender equity is not over. While strides in gender equity and representation have been made, women’s full empowerment remains elusive in many places due to sexism, misogyny, and violence against women. Guided by our Jesuit values, it is paramount that we continue to advocate for the rights and care of all women, including those who face additional barriers. With every positive step towards progress, we must pair our celebration with honest reflection and recommit to ongoing action needed to reach a just and equitable world where all women can thrive.

In line with our LIFT SU principles, and in support of our commitment to pursuing inclusive excellence, we recognize that fostering inclusion means amplifying voices from a variety of perspectives. We have invited two of our colleagues to share their reflections on what Women's History Month means to them. We offer gratitude to Professor Yasemin Sari and Kristin DiBiase for sharing their stories and perspectives, and trust that you will receive their words with openness.

Dr. Yasemin Sari, PhD, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences

If there is any moment in my teaching where I want students to remember a date – I say, “Remember 1789, the year of the French Revolution, the ‘emergence’ of the citizen, and the acknowledgment of the human being as having dignity (equal moral worth).” It is also the year that marks the declaration of universal equality based on the principle of humanity (neither law, nor history). Such recognition of our equal ability to judge and make decisions for ourselves is a relatively new assumption/belief/premise, and honestly, one that is too important to outsource.

Of course, this story is far from complete. So, let’s try to fill it in briefly.

Despite the motto of the Revolution – namely, liberté, égalité, fraternité — the role of women in it was pivotal. The Women’s March to Versailles inspired Olympe de Gouges to publish her 1791 Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen, calling out the hypocrisy of the 1789 Declaration and noting that “woman has the right to mount the scaffold, so she should have the right to equally mount the rostrum” (Article 10). But this call for the recognition of women’s agency did not take effect immediately. In fact, following her statement, de Gouges did mount the scaffold in 1793.

Subsequent women’s rights movements helped women enter and shape the public sphere – unsettling the insistence that women belonged to the household, to private life (and to privacy as a sort of deprivation). To be sure, universal suffrage is not a privilege, but “a necessity” – as W.E.B. Du Bois argued in 1920. If we concede today that women can indeed think, judge, labor, and act, it still seems that we have not achieved the equality we require to determine our own life goals. Perhaps when all women can speak for their experiences and be equal interlocutors in public discourse – we may approximate this goal.

Seattle University is at the center of such creation: our mission is to not only create, but also to foster, and to sustain and to encourage the ability to be equal members of the community, identifying shared concerns and creating a world in which we each have a place.

Kristin DiBiase, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, School of Law

Women are so powerful a force that society has spent millennia convincing us otherwise. Patriarchy is not natural order -- it is historical fiction reinforced through violence and dominance so consistently that it has been mistaken for truth. Centuries of treatment as second-class citizens worldwide begs the question--as a society, why do we collectively hate women?

Such contempt is rooted in fear. In our desire to unravel the universe's mysteries--sequencing the human genome, probing the furthest reaches of space, and attempting to fabricate humanity itself in zeroes and ones--mankind often attempt to become gods themselves. Women's more visible link to the divine--our capacity to incubate life; ways of knowing and sensing; and connection to each other and the earth--is an unwelcome reminder to men that they are not gods and inspires our marginalization.

And yet, we have still managed to succeed, despite these obstacles. We have still built stability without authority and sustained the very institutions that exclude us. Society continues to devalue and burden women even as the narrow definition of who and what a man is permitted to be steadily shrinks. Applying a patriarchal paradigm to our democracy is inherently flawed: any societal model founded in domination and subjugation cannot fully deliver abundance; and predictably yields a harvest of fragmentation, isolation, and civic erosion.

But hope remains: anything man-made can be remade, and women continue demonstrating that collaboration, consensus-building, and emotional fluency are a superior alternative. If we want a future rooted in dignity, then all of us--regardless of gender--must expand our definition of power and commit to becoming more fully human.

Resources and Renewal to Inclusion

To show support throughout Women's History Month, we invite you to visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website to find Community Resources as well as inspiring Zoom backgrounds.

As we continue through Women’s History Month, let us reflect on the dedicated women who came before us and those who stand alongside us today, to celebrate, support, and learn from their unique experiences and multi-faceted expertise. Let us also recommit to fighting for gender equity, combatting systems of oppression, and breaking down the barriers that too often hold women back from full equality and empowerment.

Sincerely,

Eduardo M. Peñalver, President

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Honoring Black History Month

Dear Campus Community,

February begins observance of Black History Month and 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the first week-long celebration created by historian and educator Carter G. Woodson. This pivotal milestone invites our Seattle University community to recognize and celebrate the triumphs, resilience, and cultural impact of the Black community. History reflects a global African diaspora and generations of achievements and contributions that have been instrumental in building and shaping the nation we are today. To our Black students, staff, faculty, and alumni, we see you and we are grateful for your presence and for the many ways you strengthen our university community.

At the university’s recent Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, in his keynote address, Professor Randall Kennedy encouraged us to remember the progress and life-changing advancements that generations before bequeathed through their persistent, intelligent, collective struggle for freedom and justice, and our shared duty to continue the pursuit of an equitable and just future. As we address anti-Blackness including attempts to erase the painful history of enslavement, Jim Crow, and structural forces that continue to impact thriving in many Black communities, we also must empower Black joy, healing, and dignity.

In line with our LIFT SU principles, and in support of our commitment to pursuing inclusive excellence, we recognize that fostering inclusion means amplifying voices from a variety of perspectives. We have invited two of our colleagues to share their reflections on what Black History Month means to them. We offer deep gratitude to Carlyn Ferrari and Dre Williams for sharing their stories and perspectives, and trust that you will receive their words with openness.

Carlyn Ferrari
Associate Professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences

Lessons from Our Ancestors

I must be honest: I am finding it hard to be hopeful these days. As I write this, I have a knot in my stomach, and I am deeply unsettled by the normalization of human suffering and callous indifference toward it. It is shameful.

But I am not defeated. While I may not always have hope, I know where to find it.

Growing up in a predominantly white suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area, Black writing was the only place where I saw myself. And it is where I find hope.

As a Black feminist scholar, I am committed to excavating and amplifying the stories of Black people, especially Black women. For me, Black History Month is an invitation to meditate on the Black writers—those living and those who are now our ancestors—who have imagined powerful counter-futures and who continuously remind us both of what it means to be human and our obligation to one another as members of a global community.

The moment we are living in is not unprecedented. Our Black ancestors have been here before. And, truthfully, had we heeded their cautions, we would not be here today. Their words offer wisdom, insight, courage, and a moral reckoning if we choose to bear witness and listen.

I am filled with a righteous, justifiable anger, and I offer the words of our ancestor Audre Lorde, from her 1982 address, “Learning from the 60s”:

Within each one of us there is some piece of humanness that knows we are not being served by the machine which orchestrates crisis after crisis and is grinding all our futures into dust. If we are to keep the enormity of the forces aligned against us from establishing a false hierarchy of oppression, we must school ourselves to recognize that any attack against Blacks, any attack against women, is an attack against all of us who recognize that our interests are not being served by the systems we support. Each one of us here is a link in the connection between anti-poor legislation, gay shootings, the burning of synagogues, street harassment, attacks against women, and resurgent violence against Black people. I ask myself as well as each one of you, exactly what alteration in the particular fabric of my everyday life does this connection call for? Survival is not a theory. In what way do I contribute to the subjugation of any part of those who I define as my people? Insight must illuminate the particulars of our lives: who labors to make the bread we waste, or the energy it takes to make nuclear poisons which will not biodegrade for one thousand years; or who goes blind assembling the microtransistors in our inexpensive calculators?

Lorde’s words are hopeful for me because I believe them, because I take them seriously, and because in them I see a path forward. They offer a vision of the love, compassion, and true freedom necessary for a just and humane world.

Most importantly, they remind me that I cannot remain complacent, so I must act if I am truly to be my ancestors’ wildest dreams.

Dre Williams
Senior Admissions Counselor for Fine & Performing Arts

As a Queer Black man in America, I carry multiple identities that have been historically marginalized. These identities shape not only how I move through the world but also the responsibility I feel as an artist. I believe deeply in the Jesuit value of cura personalis—care for the whole person—and understand that art can care for the spirit, challenge the mind, and call the heart toward justice. Because of this, I see my work as an actor, director, performing artist; as a vehicle to confront oppression, broaden understanding, and inspire social change. Whether through the stories I tell, the images I create, or the words I speak, my goal is to offer perspectives that illuminate truths others may never encounter, encouraging a deeper awareness of our shared humanity.

During the Civil Rights Movement, artist Jacob Lawrence created his iconic series chronicling the Great Migration of African Americans in the 1920s. His work not only captured a pivotal moment in American history but reflected the Ignatian call to find God in all things, including struggle, perseverance, and community. Lawrence’s paintings remind us of the sacrifices made so Black Americans could pursue the American Dream—sacrifices now threatened by modern systems that seek to erase this history. As Ignatian spirituality teaches, if we fail to reflect on our past, we cannot discern our future. Erasure breeds repetition, and repetition sustains injustice.

Art does more than comment; it activates. It urges us to respond. Writers like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison embody the Ignatian value of faith that does justice through their illumination of Black life in America. Their words capture the complexities of emotion, identity, and resilience. In The Bluest Eye, Morrison confronts the internalized self-hatred born from systemic racism, colorism, and socioeconomic oppression. She reveals how society’s distorted value systems harm Black children (and people)—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Her storytelling reminds us of the Jesuit call to honor the intrinsic dignity of every person, especially those whose humanity has been historically denied and overlooked.

Although some may like to believe these struggles are behind us, we continue to live in a time of reckoning. This moment demands discernment, courage, and action—hallmarks of Ignatian leadership. The artists who came before me used their gifts to help society see more clearly. They have inspired me to pursue the arts as a way of helping people understand one another, reflect on themselves, and cultivate empathy. I do this on stage through works like Race By Jaime Pachino which illustrated various racial situations like microaggressions, red lining, protests and lynchings from real stories and American Pageant By Michael King which is an anthology of scenes from the start of American History through the lens of civil rights until present day. Art creates enough distance for the audience to observe truth, yet invites them close enough to feel it and after Race we invited the audience to conversation and gave a call action.

As I reflect on our Jesuit values, I often consider how my voice can contribute to a more just world. Magis—the call to do more for the greater good—guides my dedication to telling stories that uplift, challenge, and transform. To be legendary, for me, is to envision a world where every person has an equal opportunity to flourish; where humanity operates in harmony rather than opposition; where we stand with others, not above them. My art is my offering toward that vision—a call to justice, a gesture of hope, and an act of love for the world as it is and the world it can become.

Resources and Renewal to Inclusion

To show support throughout Black History Month, we invite you to visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website to find inspiring Zoom backgrounds, and a range of other educational resources.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let us honor both the accomplishments and the sacrifices, and renew dedication to learning and growing to develop new ways to combat the realities of oppression and violence faced by the Black community. Let us lean into humanity’s most loving instincts and continue striving to build a campus and world that is inclusive and welcoming to everyone.

Sincerely,

Eduardo M. Peñalver, President

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Honoring Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month

Dear Campus Community,

November 1st marks the beginning of Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month. As we welcome this important observance, Seattle University is proud to affirm and celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions that shape Native American and Alaska Native Heritage. This month provides an opportunity for focused attention on honoring the contributions, legacies, and resilience of the First Nations, Inuit, and Native American tribes who have inhabited and stewarded this land for thousands of years. Building on our recognition of Indigenous People’s Day last month, let us reflect on the profound influence of Indigenous communities on our nation and confront the ongoing systemic challenges they encounter. Let us also appreciate the vast knowledge and wisdom they hold which enriches our culture, deepens our understanding of the land, and inspires us to pursue justice and reconciliation. We encourage you to deepen your learning, growth, and support of the Indigenous community by exploring the happenings and resources of the Indigenous Peoples Institute, Center for Indian Law and Policy, and our various student-led organizations, including the SU Indigenous Student Association, SU First Nations, Hui O Nani Hawai’i Club, and Native American Law Students Association.

In line with our LIFT SU principles, and in support of our commitment to pursuing inclusive excellence, we recognize that fostering inclusion means amplifying voices from a variety of perspectives. We are especially honored to partner with a student leader this month to share reflections on what Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month means to her. We offer deep gratitude to Branndi Bowechop, ‘26, for sharing her story and perspective, and trust that you will receive her words with openness.

Branndi Bowechop
Psychology Major, class of 2026
Student Athlete - Track and Field
President of Indigenous Student Association
Peer Health Educator with Wellness and Health Promotion

Ɂux̌u·Ɂaƛa·ksa Ɂux̌u·s q̓aq̓a·pakx̌iya· (Hello everyone, My name is Branndi Bowechop)

To me this month is to represent our people, it is a reminder that we are still here. It is important that we acknowledge everything that our ancestors endured and overcame. Without them, we would not be here. As someone who has had the privilege to have grown up immersed in my culture, continuously taught our teachings and history, I have made it a goal of mine to be able to do my best to bring that here to campus. To make it feel more at home, to be able to create a community for us here on campus, to have people to connect with and support one another. I hope that our community on campus can become more educated on Native American culture and learn to put aside systemic stereotypes.

Resources and Renewal to Inclusion
To show support throughout Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month, we invite you to visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website to find inspiring Zoom backgrounds, and a range of other educational resources.

As we continue to reflect and honor Native American and Alaska Native Heritage throughout November and beyond, let us celebrate the significant and inspiring achievements, traditions, and wisdom of Indigenous peoples both in our nation and globally. We must also reaffirm our shared commitment to combating the persistent injustices faced by Native American and Alaska Native peoples and strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.

Sincerely,

Eduardo M. Peñalver, President

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Honoring Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month

Dear Campus Community,

Yesterday, September 15th, marked the first day of Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, which runs through October 15th. This month offers a chance to honor and celebrate the innumerable contributions that Hispanic and Latin American individuals and communities have made to the history and culture of the United States. We recognize that the term “Hispanic and Latin American community” encompasses a vast range of individual and distinct peoples, groups, and cultures, and we extend our recognition and respect to each community for their unique stories.

The Hispanic and Latin American community’s contributions to the prosperity of our nation and society offer examples of excellence and perseverance. Therefore, especially during this time in our nation’s history, it is crucial that we seek deeper understanding as we acknowledge and lift up the contributions and the rich cultural heritage of this community. To our students, faculty, and staff who identify as part of the Hispanic and Latin American community – we see you, and we recognize and celebrate the richness you add to the Seattle University community.

In line with our LIFT SU principles, and in support of our commitment to pursuing inclusive excellence, we recognize that fostering inclusion means amplifying voices from a variety of perspectives. We have invited two of our colleagues to share their reflections on what Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month means to them. We offer deep gratitude to Rose Kaser, Assistant Director, Flex JD Program; and Sonia Barrios Tinoco, PhD., Associate Professor and Chair, Modern Languages and Cultures, for sharing their stories and perspectives, and trust that you will receive their words with openness.

Rose Kaser, MFA
Assistant Director, Flex JD Program, School of Law

What Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month Represents to Me

I am an immigrant who has spent the last 20 years in the United States. Growing up in Mexico, my experiences were not deﬁned by close-knit family gatherings or vibrant traditions, but by everyday moments that connected me to my heritage and the broader human experience.

For me, Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month is about recognizing and celebrating our shared experiences. It is a reminder that, at a fundamental level, we all seek connection, community, to feel seen and valued, and the opportunity to lead happy and fulﬁlling lives.

Being part of both Mexican and American cultures has been a unique and rewarding experience. This duality has given me the opportunity to see the world through multiple lenses and to appreciate the richness that comes from blending different ways of life. This month is a time to honor this unique perspective, celebrating not just my own heritage, but the interconnectedness of all the cultures that have inﬂuenced my journey.

More than just a celebration of traditions, Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month is a chance to embrace inclusivity and the value of learning from each other. Living between two cultures has taught me that each individual story adds to our personal and collective narrative, and it’s our universal human experience that unites us.

Reﬂecting on my journey as an immigrant, I have learned to embrace new ways of life while staying true to my roots. Navigating and appreciating two cultures has allowed me to craft my own story within both. To me, this month is a celebration of belonging—a powerful reminder that, no matter where we come from, our connections are stronger than our differences, and we all belong together.

Sonia Barrios Tinoco, PhD
Associate Professor and Chair, Modern Languages and Cultures

I am originally from Venezuela and, as I grew up, I do not recall having month-long celebrations like this one back home. My elders along with my teenage parents started to progressively migrate from Colombia to my country during the late sixties, in search of a society in which they could find job opportunities that would allow them to improve living conditions for their children and themselves. They had to make the grueling decision of leaving it all behind, and going to another land with nothing but uncertainties and hopes for a better future. Thanks to their actions, the values they instilled in me and their example, I had a beautiful upbringing in Venezuela. After receiving a scholarship from UC Berkeley, I graduated in 2009 from my doctoral program and realized that I had no country to go back to. Venezuela had fallen -and still is- under a dictatorial regime. I started to transit a painful path my family had walked before me. To make a living and have a good quality of life, I had to sadly look elsewhere, make my life elsewhere. I come from an immigrant family and became an immigrant myself. I profoundly thank this country for having adopted me and giving me freedom and so many invaluable opportunities. A country in which Hispanic Heritage month as well as many other celebrations are held every year to cherish the contributions and beauty of different cultures. Nevertheless, it is my firm belief that the more we respectfully and with curiosity approach each other to get to know one another, the more empathy there will be amongst us, and the desire to seek the wellbeing of all will be our common and highest goal. In that line of thought then, I would like to invite us all to go beyond the labels and come back to the most simple and basic, yet, perhaps, most difficult. I would like for us to see each other in the eyes and recognize the human being, the living being in front of us, so that we can all appreciate, and learn from each other every day.

As we continue through Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, let us take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the many contributions and sacrifices made by this vibrant and diverse community. Let us also renew our dedication to combating racism, xenophobia, and violence directed at those of Hispanic and Latin American heritage, and strive to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.

Sincerely,

Eduardo M. Peñalver, President

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion