My dear community,
On this day we are called to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was a man of action. A man of deep values and principles, he used his words, grassroots organizing and nonviolent protest to drive radical change in the United States, always holding his belief that all people, regardless of creed or color, are equal. As we observe Martin Luther King Day this year, I invite you to join us not in a day of rest, but in a day of action.
As social workers, we are called to challenge social injustice when we see it. Voting rights are a cornerstone of our democracy and a social justice priority. This year Dr. Bernice King, Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King and Yolanda Renee King, along with faith leaders, civil rights leaders and voting rights advocates are asking us to spend Dr. King’s birthday learning about these rights, getting involved and raising our voices to uphold them.
Social justice advocacy begins with each of us. Thank you for showing up for your communities each day–and for joining us in supporting voting rights for all Americans.
Sincerely,
Marianne R.M. Yoshioka, MBA, Ph.D., LCSW
Dean and Elizabeth Marting Treuhaft Professor
Co-editor, Smith College Studies in Social Work
Smith College School for Social Work
