90-year-old volunteer ousted from nonprofit for not grasping ‘mandatory’ pronouns
Elderly Volunteer Dismissed for Asking About Pronouns
Fran Itkoff, a disabled woman in California, was recently let go from her volunteer position at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The reason? She dared to inquire about the use of pronouns in an email signature.
“I was confused. I didn’t know what it was and what it meant,” she said.
According to Itkoff, when an unnamed worker at the nonprofit group asked her to include her pronouns, the 90-year-old woman was taken aback. She admitted that she had seen pronouns listed after people’s names in a few letters, but she didn’t understand the significance.
“So when I finally talked to her, I asked what it meant … and she said that meant they were all-inclusive, which didn’t make sense to me,” Itkoff explained. “Because it sounds like you are labeling for females, not males, if you are just putting in she/her.”
A few days later, Itkoff received an email stating that she had violated the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion guidelines. The email expressed appreciation for her dedication but ultimately informed her that she was being asked to step down from her volunteer position immediately.
“We appreciate your dedication and contribution as a Self-Help Group Leader with our organization. As we discussed earlier during a phone conversation, after a thorough review of our guidelines and standards, it has come to our attention that there has been a failure to abide by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion guidelines during your time as a volunteer,” the email read.
Itkoff had been volunteering for the MS Society for an impressive 60 years. Her late husband, who had MS, previously ran the Long Beach Lakewood MS support group, which she took over after his passing. She had received numerous awards for her commitment to helping multiple sclerosis patients.
“I was completely shocked when I read that. I couldn’t believe that. I had to read it a couple of times to see if I’m getting what she said,” Itkoff expressed.
Itkoff’s daughter, Elle Hamilton, spoke out about the situation, emphasizing that volunteering for the support group had been her mother’s life’s work. She expressed concern that the MS Society is prioritizing pronouns over finding a cure for MS and assisting patients.
“It’s sad that they are discriminating against her because MS doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anybody to get the disease, and yet they are discriminating against her just because she asked a question to explain what the pronouns were,” Hamilton stated.
Itkoff’s dismissal raises questions about the organization’s priorities and whether they have lost sight of their mission to support those affected by multiple sclerosis.
How can individuals be educated and informed about contemporary language and social norms to facilitate better communication and empathy between generations
Ived an email from the nonprofit, informing her that her services were no longer needed. The reason given was that her inquiry about pronouns was deemed inappropriate and disruptive.
The incident involving Fran Itkoff highlights a larger debate surrounding the use of pronouns and the importance of gender inclusivity. Pronouns, such as he/him, she/her, or they/them, are linguistic tools that individuals use to refer to themselves. The inclusion of pronouns in email signatures or introductions has become more common in recent years as a way to affirm and respect individuals’ gender identities.
However, the situation faced by Itkoff raises questions about the sensitivity and understanding of gender-related issues, especially among older generations. It is important to recognize that the elderly may not be as familiar with contemporary language and social norms. In this case, Itkoff’s confusion and inquiry were met with dismissal and a lack of empathy.
This incident also brings attention to the need for clear and open communication between different generations. Instead of dismissing Itkoff’s concerns, the nonprofit group could have taken the opportunity to educate and engage in a meaningful conversation. By providing information and context about the use of pronouns, they could have bridged the generation gap and fostered understanding.
Moreover, the dismissal of Itkoff highlights a larger issue of ageism in volunteerism. Older adults bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and dedication to various organizations. However, they are often overlooked or underestimated due to age-related assumptions. Itkoff’s case serves as a reminder that age should not be a determining factor for someone’s ability to contribute or ask questions.
It is crucial for organizations and individuals to embrace inclusivity and diversity, regardless of age. Patience, empathy, and understanding should be extended to those who may not be as familiar with contemporary language and social norms. Education and open dialogue are key to fostering intergenerational connections and promoting inclusivity.
In conclusion, the dismissal of Fran Itkoff from her volunteer position for asking about pronouns highlights the need for greater understanding, empathy, and communication across different generations. It is important to recognize the unique perspectives and knowledge that older adults bring to various organizations. Ageism should not be a determining factor in someone’s ability to contribute or ask questions. By fostering open dialogue and embracing inclusivity, we can bridge the generation gap and create a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
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