jona olsson's workshops


When I Doubt Myself and Other Women: Combating Internalized Sexism
(Thursday morning, March 25; repeats on Saturday morning, March 27)
Please note: this workshop is for women only.

This workshop encourages women to examine the harmful impact of a lifetime of sexist messages on their own self-image and their attitudes toward other women. Either can be hurtful, even fatal, on a fire scene. Exercises and skills are offered to affirm women and women's skills, and to confront internalized sexism.

How Do We Do More Than Just Talk About Diversity?
(Thursday afternoon, March 25)

Many of us have attended workshops and training sessions about diversity that have generated thoughtful discussions and meaningful dialogue. Now, how do we take that one step further? How do we do more than talk about diversity in the fire service? How do we even begin the conversation, with some of our fire agencies, and then how do we move from the conversation to taking action? How do we create allies and not enemies in this process? How do we work for justice and not just numbers? This workshop will address all forms of diversity. Please bring your own "best practices" to share.

Confronting Racism: Working Toward Racial Justice
(Saturday afternoon, March 27)

Racism still divides us, our nation, our communities, and our fire departments and other agencies. This interactive workshop will look at the realities of racism and the responsibilities we all have to dismantle it.

jona's co-presenter for this workshop will be Dorcus (Dee) Howard. Dee is a Master Firefighter/Paramedic with the Montgomery County, Maryland, Division of Fire and Rescue Services, where she has worked for 14 years. She is also a trustee intern for WFS.

About the faculty:
jona olsson has been a political activist and educator for almost three decades. She claims in her life (as most of us can) the experience of both privilege and oppression. She is the founder and director of Cultural Bridges, offering cultural diversity programs for college or community groups and agencies. She is also Assistant Chief of the Latir Volunteer Fire Department in New Mexico. Participants in her workshops at previous WFS conferences offer high praise and apreciation for jona's frank, open approach, her sense of humor, and -- most importantly -- their renewed commitment to the struggle for justice. We are pleased to have been able to invite her to join our faculty for LTS-6. Her workshops have become a very meaningful part of our program.