Advancing Our Shared Mission and Understanding Intersectionality

In her 1989 essay, Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory, and Antiracist Politics, Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the term ‘intersectionality’ as a way to address the marginalization of Black women in antidiscrimination law, feminist and antiracist theory, and politics.

The term intersectionality describes the ways in which various parts of our identity influence systems of inequality and provides a lens for understanding how individuals experience their social environment. These parts of our identity include ethnicity, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, disability, and class. These social determinants intersect to create unique dynamics that change over time and within different social contexts and systems. It is crucial that we consider the cumulative impact of these dynamics and recognize that these systems and structures often initiate and perpetuate oppression of historically underrepresented communities. ??

The CF community is comprised of individuals of all identities and from every racial and ethnic group; however, for many years there has not been adequate recognition or representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) people with CF. I’ve been inspired by the work the Foundation has done to deepen its understanding of the complexities of the individual CF journey. I’ve seen a particular focus on understanding and addressing health inequities – from delays in diagnosis to engagement barriers in care – and ensuring that these efforts are informed by the people who are directly impacted.

A few specific pieces of work worth noting:?

• Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Toolkit: Led by Cristen Clemm and Kim Reno, the Clinical Affairs team worked with Compass, the Partnership Enhancement Program team, over 50 clinicians, and people with CF and their loved ones to consider how social determinants impact the CF community’s access to internet, employment, financial wellness, health insurance, food, and more with a goal of addressing food insecurity. Social risk factors including discrimination due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and geographic location were all considered within the social and community context of this work.
• Communities of Color Report: Work led by Christina Roman and Jessica Hudson supported the publication of the?Communities of Color focus group report. Focus groups were conducted to better understand engagement barriers for underrepresented individuals in the CF community. These groups provided a space for people of color in the CF community to be heard – some for the first time. Results brought light to issues related to representation and how it impacts engagement, trust, data integrity, and more.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERG): Five identity-based ERGs were formed last year to help strengthen the workplace community, promote cultural awareness, and foster inclusion. These ERGs help to create safe spaces where group members are able to build community within the organization and participate in professional development opportunities such as mentoring, lunch and learns, and career pathing. ERGs are open to all regardless of identity and many employees belong to, or are allies of, several groups. In July, I hosted a session on intersectionality during our monthly LatinX ERG meeting where members from the four other ERGs joined to identify and discuss areas of power and disadvantage, the intersection of identities among the colleagues and community members we work with, and how all of the ERGs can best come together to support the CF community and the CF Foundation workforce as a whole.

Though we work across different departments and workstreams, we share a common goal: to find a cure for people living with CF regardless of mutation. Understanding how intersectionality influences an individual’s lived experience can help us better bring an equity, racial justice, diversity, and inclusion lens to our work, whether that’s fostering inclusion with colleagues or understanding barriers to care that people with CF face. I believe this work is critical to advancing our shared mission of finding a cure for all people living with CF.?

Until it’s done for everyone.?