Although diversity, equity, and inclusion are prominently featured in elect LMSD, the website of the candidates whom the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion Narberth (DCLMN) endorsed for School Board, one of the endorsed candidates worked for the American Bible Society (September 2016 to June 2022) for five years and ten months, an organization that one would be hard-pressed to describe as promoting diversity, equity, or inclusion.
During the vetting process, Ovidii Alfaro, the American Bible Society’s chief strategy officer, sent a letter of recommendation to DCLMN for the former employee. In that letter, he wrote that [she] demonstrated a passion for the organization’s mission.
Why should an explicitly Christian organization that does not allow adulterers or sodomites to be members be of any concern to the LMSD?
I have spoken with Jen and an organization I am involved with questioned her at length. Jen voluntarily divulged that the company she previously worked for changed their policy on LBGTQ+ and asked her to sign a statement agreeing with those anti LBGTQ policies. She refused and offered her resignation. That company allowed her to stay on the payroll while she looked for another job and she left.
I care deeply about LGBTQ+ people and policies. It is for that reason that I spoke directly with the candidate in question and asked about her work history directly. I was very pleased with her response and humble explanation of how she has grown and evolved and how she left that employer specifically because of how she opposed their discriminating practices. People are allowed to change and evolve. I would NEVER support a candidate who I believed was anti-LGBTQ+. I am satisfied that this candidate is in full support of the community and the current LMSD policies.
Hi Gerry,
As a teacher and a parent who has devoted most of my life and career to DEI, I believe Jen Rivera is an excellent candidate for School Board. I was also concerned about ABS, and I spoke to her about it. She refused to sign ABS’ anti-DEI pledge. It is why she left the organization. As a woman of color from a multi-ethnic and multi-religious family, and as a strong supporter of equity, inclusion and LGBTQ+ rights, and as a proud mom of an amazing LGBTQ+ person, I believe Jennifer will be an excellent school board member. She has demonstrated her commitment to helping students in need to succeed in our district. I hope that you will have a conversation with Jennifer and be open to learning more about her history. She is a wonderful person.
Respectfully,
Muna Elshakhs
I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a member of Lower Merion’s Gender Awareness and Inclusion Network (GAIN), which advocates for transgender and gender diverse youth in Lower Merion School District and more broadly in our region. As part of GAIN, I have met with this candidate and discussed her employment with the American Bible Society as well as her commitment to LGBT inclusion at length. She was clear, passionate, and compelling in her support for LGBTQIA+ youth and our broader community and in her rejection of her former employer’s position. I enthusiastically support her candidacy and encourage anyone with concerns to simply reach out to her and ask.