Diversity, equity and inclusion
“. . . be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come, that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them; then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one . . .”
— George Fox, 1656
Earlham is a Quaker college, rooted in the principles of the Religious Society of Friends. These principles are not just ideals but embedded in the fabric of the institution. Earlham’s celebration of its diversity, its programs to foster belonging and inclusion, and its policies on equity and equality are borne from deeply held values that are foundational to Quaker faith and practices.
A central Quaker tenet is that there is “that of God in everyone,” often referred to as the “Inner Light.” This belief leads to a profound respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, religious preference, political affiliation, gender identity, physical ability, sexual orientation, and age.
Earlham’s Principles and Practices affirm the equality of all people. The college commits to being a community where members act with regard for the intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being of everyone.
The Quaker peace testimony emphasizes that peace cannot exist without justice. Earlham interprets this as a call to actively work against violence and injustice, including those embedded in social and institutional structures. Promoting equity and inclusion is seen as essential to achieving true peace.
Earlham encourages honest engagement and self-reflection, including recognizing and addressing personal and systemic biases. This commitment to integrity supports a culture where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but essential to the pursuit of truth.
Earlham aspires to be a community of mutual support and accountability. As a Quaker institution, Earlham upholds a profound commitment to cultivating an environment in which all members of its community are valued, heard, and empowered to contribute to the collective good.
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We’re committed to making Earlham a warm, welcoming, and safe place where everyone feels valued and respected—no matter their background or identity.
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It is a foundational Quaker belief that all persons have available to them an inner spirit of Truth, often known as the ‘Inner Light’ or ‘God’s Voice Within.’
“From this belief follows an assumption of equality of all persons and grounds for respecting all persons. We commit ourselves to be a community whose members act with regard for the intellectual, physical and emotional well-being of everyone, while acknowledging that there are systems of oppression that we strive to dismantle that affect our own community. We seek to find mutual respect, trust and happiness in our relationships with persons of every race, ethnicity, class, religious preference, political affiliation, gender identity, physical ability, sexual orientation and age, including persons removed by time and place.”
– Earlham College, Principles and Practices