By Debbie Rosenberg, EVP, Telehealth and Ambulatory Services
As we honor and celebrate the lasting legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., it is important to take a step back and reflect on the ways this monumental person has impacted all walks of life. His work helped create many of the opportunities that we have as women employees.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy
The road to equality knows no bounds. While largely remembered for his instrumental leadership in passing both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965, King’s activism has transcended into an all-inclusive model for change. His holistic view of human rights has become a blueprint for social justice, advancing the rights of not only marginalized Black Americans but women, those with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community as well.
“No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
King’s sacrifices have created a landscape previously unattainable for working women of the past. As a catalyst for the Women’s Liberation Movement, his fight for civil rights opened up discussions and opportunities that previously did not exist. An agent for change, King fervently knew that women’s rights are civil rights, and he helped shape many of the movements in which we participate in today. Combined with advances in the workplace and higher education, King’s work helped cement equal opportunity employment laws, sexual harassment policies, maternity leave, equal pay and affirmative action programs for women of all socioeconomic levels.
Diversity at TeamHealth
Today, it is hard to imagine a TeamHealth without the perspective and contributions of women leaders, like myself and my esteemed colleagues. Although we now have an increased focus on our diverse community, it is of foremost importance to remember just how new this reality truly is – and why we must join together to keep it moving forward.
“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
On this third Monday of January, it is an honor to commemorate King and his impassioned, multifaceted views on human rights. He continues to influence us with his legacy of fighting for equal rights and standing up for human rights – a foundation that has become the essence of our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and will continue to be at the forefront of TeamHealth. Learn more about our diversity, equity and inclusion commitments.