MS Society defends ousting 90-year-old volunteer over pronoun usage
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Faces Backlash for Ousting 90-Year-Old Volunteer
The non-profit National Multiple Sclerosis Society has come under fire for its decision to remove a 90-year-old volunteer from her position due to her alleged lack of understanding of pronouns.
The organization released a statement on Thursday addressing the controversy and reaffirmed its decision to part ways with the elderly volunteer, who had dedicated 60 years of her life to working with them.
The organization defended its staff’s actions, stating, “We believe that our staff acted with the best of intentions and did their best to navigate a challenging issue. As an organization, we are in a continued conversation about assuring that our diversity, equity, and inclusion policies evolve in service of our mission, and will reach out to Fran in service of this goal.”
While comments on the statement were disabled, numerous individuals expressed their frustration on previous posts from the organization.
- “I will never donate another dollar to you for what you did to that poor woman. Just disgusting,” one person shared on Twitter.
- “If you let the lady go, you are not inclusive,” another user agreed.
- “I have ceased my annual donation. You know what you did,” echoed a third individual on Twitter.
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Itkoff’s story gained widespread attention after she shared her experience in an interview with Libs of TikTok. According to Itkoff, she received an email accusing her of not adhering to the organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion guidelines, which ultimately led to her dismissal.
Itkoff explained, “I was confused. I didn’t know what it was and what it meant,” referring to the request to include pronouns in her email signature.
She continued, “So when I finally talked to [a colleague], I asked what does it mean… And she said that it meant they were all-inclusive, which didn’t make sense to me. Because it sounds like you are labeling for females, not males, if you are just putting in she/her.”
The 90-year-old California resident expressed her shock at being asked to step down, stating, “I was completely shocked. I couldn’t believe that… I had to read it a couple of times to see if I’m getting what she said.”
What alternative approaches could the National Multiple Sclerosis Society have taken in handling the situation with the 90-year-old volunteer to balance inclusivity with recognition of long-time volunteers?
Viduals took to social media to express their disappointment and anger towards the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s decision. Many argued that the organization’s actions were discriminatory and ageist, questioning why a volunteer who had dedicated six decades of her life to helping the society could be dismissed so easily.
Critics also pointed out that the volunteer’s alleged lack of understanding of pronouns should not be a reason for her removal. They argued that instead of immediately ousting her, the society could have offered educational resources or training to help her better understand and adapt to the changing landscape of gender identity.
The backlash against the National Multiple Sclerosis Society raises important questions about inclusivity and diversity in non-profit organizations. As society becomes more aware and accepting of diverse gender identities, it is crucial for organizations to create a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals.
However, it is equally important for organizations to handle such situations with empathy and understanding, especially for long-time volunteers who have demonstrated their commitment and dedication over the years. In this case, the decision to remove the 90-year-old volunteer appears to be abrupt and lacking in compassion.
The incident sheds light on the challenges organizations face when trying to balance their pursuit of inclusivity with the need to respect and support their long-standing volunteers. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society must carefully evaluate its decision and consider alternative approaches to ensure that both inclusivity and the recognition of the contribution of its volunteers are achieved.
In conclusion, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s decision to remove a 90-year-old volunteer due to her alleged lack of understanding of pronouns has sparked significant backlash and raised important questions about inclusivity and treatment of long-time volunteers. The organization’s acknowledgement of the controversy in its statement is commendable but falls short of addressing the concerns raised by critics. Moving forward, it is crucial for the society to reevaluate its actions and find a more compassionate approach to ensure both inclusivity and the recognition of its volunteers’ contributions.
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