Slice of History - World Day for Cultural Diversity

According to the November 1983 issue of Universe, “The sights, the sounds and the spectacle of JPL’s many ethnic, cultural and religious heritages fused into a colorful panorama around the warm and sunny Mall as the 1983 American Heritage Week was celebrated. Costumed dancers and musicians presented the cultures of many lands, as well as the regional folkways of America. Highlight of the week-long noon-time celebrations was the serving of foods unique to regions…The week’s festivities were organized under the auspices of the Advisory Committee on Minority Affairs (ACMA).”

Today, inclusivity remains top of mind, and it is important to continue to celebrate how differences actively connect us all across the Lab, closing the gaps amongst coworkers, employees and management, and the greater space industry. The JPL Inclusion Advisory Council “collaborates across the Laboratory with employees, managers, projects, programs, and the Executive Council (EC) to ensure that every voice is valued; employees have a sense of belonging and connection with one another and to JPL.” Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) strive to be inclusively representative, today including such groups as the Advisory Council for Women (ACW), Amigos Unidos, Asian American Council, Black Excellence Strategic Team (B.E.S.T.), Native Engagement in Building a Unified Leadership Alliance (N.E.B.U.L.A.), Spectrum (L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+), and Veterans groups.

In addition, at the 37th Space Symposium, then Interim Director Larry James signed the “Space Workforce 2030” pledge, the first-ever space industry commitment of its kind to “significantly increase the number of women and employees from underrepresented groups,” in an effort to expand that which JPL constantly strives to recognize throughout the space industry. CL#22-6276

The content presented here should be viewed in the context of the time period. Our intent is to present the history of JPL in a factual manner that uses primary resources and historical context. We recognize that some information or images do not reflect the current values, policies, and mission of JPL.