Equality and Community
“. . . 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 College is a Quaker institution, rooted in the principles of the Religious Society of Friends. These principles are not merely aspirational; they are woven into the fabric of the College’s mission, culture, and daily life.
Equality and community are basic tenets of Quaker faith. Both testimonies emerge from the idea that there is “that of God in everyone.” The principle of community reflects the idea that every individual is an object of divine concern, and equality emphasizes that all are equal in the eyes of God and should be treated accordingly.
These convictions inspire a deep respect for the inherent dignity of every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, religious belief, political stance, gender identity, physical ability, sexual orientation, or 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.
Further, 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 equality 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.
Additional resources
Our community
We’re committed to making Earlham a warm, welcoming, and safe place where everyone feels valued and respected—no matter their background or identity.
Happening at Earlham
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