DEI means recognizing the intrinsic humanity in everyone.

Our Newsletter, brings you updates of efforts to support

diversity, equity, and inclusion in our town.

June 4, 2024

All Philipstown residents are welcome to join in the Putnam County Celebration of Juneteenth. The Putnam County Historian's Office will present a historic exhibit, Kofi & Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble will perform, there will be music by DJ Frank Boogie, along with an Off-Broadway performance of Maggie's Farm by Philipstown's own Goldee Greene. Refreshments, giveaways, and prizes available. It's all hapening Wednesday, June 19, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Veteran's Memorial Park in Carmel.

Great Juneteenth parades and programs are happening thanks to our neighbors in Peekskill, Highland Falls, and Beacon. Peekskill's day of celebration is Saturday, June 15, Highland Falls also has a parade on Saturday, June 15, and Beacon's Festival is Wednesday, June 19. The Desmond-Fish Public Library will table at the Beacon event.

The book discussion group for The 1619 Project, a joint effort with PAAH, continues with two meetings in June. Monday, June 3 at 1 p.m. was a discussion of Chapters 3, 4, and 5: "Sugar," Fear," and "Dispossession." Monday, June 24 at 1 p.m. will be a discussion of Chapters 6, 7, and 8: "Capitalism," "Politics," and "Citizenship." Each chapter essay stands alone, so reading previous chapters is not necessary. All are welcome; please click on the link to register. Books are available at the Library.

For Pride Month Celebrate Pride and learn LGBTQ+ History with us during our screening of the movie Stonewall, a film that chronicles events leading up to the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. Join us on Thursday, June 20 at 6 p.m.

News from the Butterfield Public Library

The Butterfield Library’s Book Club meets monthly on a Monday evening. For Pride Month, join the group on Monday, June 24 at 7 p.m. to discuss Less: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer. A failed novelist in his late 40s embarks on a hilarious, globetrotting adventure to avoid attending his ex-boyfriend's wedding.The book won the Pulitzer Prize in 2017. Contact the Library to register.

News from the Garrison Union Free School District and the Haldane Central School District

We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation and best wishes to

departing superintendents Carl Albano of Garrison and Phil Benante of Haldane. Both Carl and Phil have been greatly supportive of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at their respective school districts and leave Philipstown having accomplished great things for their faculty, staff, and students.

News from the Putnam History Museum

Gather at the Putnam History Museum for a series of in-person workshops to commemorate the history of anti-slavery in the Hudson Valley. The Oh, Freedom! Quilting Project creates local quilting circles - no sewing or quilting experience necessary! Create quilt squares that tell the stories, names, and places of meaning to enslaved Africans, freedom seekers, and the abolitionists both Black and white who fought for freedom and justice. Organized by the Mid-Hudson Anti-Slavery History Project and the Putnam History Museum. Workshops are Wednesdays, June 26, July 3, and July 10, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

News from the Philipstown Depot Theater

Depot Pride! On June 8, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., three fabulous queens present two shows celebrating acceptance, inclusion, and pride.

The early show, designed for families, has at its center a Disney-themed drag-queen variety show. A children’s story narrated by a queen will be interspersed with performances. The show culminates with a group performance and an onstage photo opportunity.

The late show, appropriate for people ages 12 and up, will be a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ pride. Expect music, comedy, lots else. Purchase tickets here.

Coming to the Depot for the weekend of June 14, 15, and 16 is a festival of three days of short plays and films on women's rights presented by Theatre Revolution. Friday, June 14 beginning at 7:30 p.m. showcases short plays with a directors' talkback. Saturday, June 15 includes films and plays and a panel of Emmy Award-winning women, beginning at 12 noon; Sunday, June 16 shares films and plays again beginning at 2 p.m. Choose your day from the ticket site here.

About the Philipstown DEI Committee

Our group was formed following a racist incident at a library event in 2021. Members representing the Garrison Union Free School District, the Haldane PTA EDI Committee, Butterfield Library, and the Desmond-Fish Public Library developed a community-wide survey, the results of which can be read here. The two school districts and the two public libraries have also been joined by the Manitou School, and other organizations are welcome to be part of the effort. Please contact admin@philipstowndei.info

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the Philipstown DEI Committee is to raise awareness

and foster learning and sharing opportunities that promote

community-wide engagement.  By working together across institutions, we strive to ensure that all Philipstown community members are represented, acknowledged, and valued.

Future Plans

We invite you to join our Zoom meetings that are held the last Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. Other projects we are working on include a Spanish-language Book Club, guest speakers and authors, parent workshops, a Library of Humans, and more. To obtain a link, email japicello@gufs.org.

This Newsletter will resume in September.New participants are very welcome. Please email ptowndei@philipstowndei.org, especially if you would like to sign up for this email.

We will share future newsletters in Spanish also; thank you for your patience.

Compartiremos futuros boletines en español; gracias por su paciencia.

La diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión son objetivos muy importantes.