Our Mission
Our Mission
Mission:
F4MLou exists to create a welcoming and inclusive wellness space for all. We celebrate and support diverse identities, abilities, bodies, and experiences. We are cultivating a community of belonging and empowerment.
We Believe:
Prioritizing our physical, mental and emotional health empowers us to be the best version of ourselves.
All bodies are good, deserving of safety, respect, movement and nourishment.
Strength is found in the community of motherhood and diverse relationships equip us to thrive as individuals and better parent our children.
Race is not biological yet racism exists. We will actively work to disrupt the systems and actions that perpetuate it within our community.
It is our privilege to invest in our communities and create positive change.
Modeling these values will enable us to raise self-aware, compassionate, courageous children who love themselves and others.
In alignment with our beliefs and in support of our mission we will:
Provide a welcoming space for all women to reach their personal wellness goals, recognizing that these goals will be unique to each person.
Celebrate and increase inclusivity, and racial equity, in our classes, playgroups, partnerships, hiring decisions, and all aspects of our business.
Provide educational and social opportunities as well as resources for our community that align with our beliefs.
Work to decrease barriers that hinder participation in classes, playdates, and social events.
Uphold our anti-racism pledge and speak out against bias, microaggressions and racist acts.
Incorporate anti-racism, equity, and body inclusivity training into our team hiring, training, and onboarding process.
Build and nurture a community that welcomes people of all ages, sizes, and abilities.
Encourage life-long healthy habits while rejecting harmful social expectations surrounding fitness and diet culture.
Ensure no one experiences discrimination based on race, color, origin, religion, political belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status or family make-up, veteran status, physical or mental ability, or age and stage of motherhood.
Encourage others to join us in these efforts.
Our Pledge:
Every member of the F4MLou team has taken this pledge. We invite you to make this commitment in your own life and family as well.
My pledge for racial equity, diversity and inclusion:
At F4MLou we are guided by our commitment to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive wellness space for all women. We celebrate a diversity of identities, abilities, bodies, and experiences.
In order to stand against racism and embrace equity within this community, I pledge to:
Be accountable for the impact, regardless of intent, that my words and actions have on others.
Examine my own actions and solicit feedback to discover and repair my blind spots regarding privilege and inequity.
Speak up to interrupt bias, microaggressions and racism
Diversify my network and invite new people to join our community.
Hold myself responsible for learning and unlearning concepts related to equity and justice.
Listen and learn with an open heart and mind when others share their experiences, in order to understand and honor the validity of their differences.
In order to carry out our Mission and help our commitments come to life - F4MLou created the Diversity + Inclusion committee in 2021. We are now the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging (DEIB) Committee. These are the F4MLou team members on the committee: Jessica Hardt and Katie Kramer. We work in partnership with Sarah Graves of Graves Strategic Partners.
Please reach out to us if you have questions or ideas for this work or if you need anything from us to make your experience within F4MLou more affirming and supportive.
You can email Katie Kramer | Manager | DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging) | kk.f4mlou@gmail.com
OR
Feel free to complete this feedback form if you prefer.
Educational Resources
Resources for Adults + Caregivers
There are a variety of resources shared here about many different topics. We will continue to add to these and change/remove as necessary. Depending on how much time you have to invest when you are exploring - you may choose to select a resource based on the time investment needed. We have three categories: 15 minutes or less, about an hour, and deep dive (books, etc).
15 min or less
Article: 12 Culturally Appropriative Words and Phrases to Stop Using Today
Video: Systemic Racism
Video: Why Color Blindness Will NOT End Racism
Video: 1619 Project overview
Video: your child is transgender and it’s going to be okay
Gender Terminology Reference Sheet
1 hour
websites
podcasts
Deep Dive
1619 Interactive Project - NYTimes Magazine
Books
So You Want to Talk About Race
Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community
Additional Resources
IG accounts
@ckyourprivilege
@britthawthorne
@privtoprog
@indigenouscultures
@upgradeaccessibility
@teachingoutsidethebinary
@asianamericancollective
@aapiwomenlead
@diversifyournarrative
Resources for children + guiding children
IG accounts
@theconsciouskid
@learningforjustice
@hereweeread
@helpingkidsrise
@wokekindergarten
@asianlitforkids
@thetinyactivists
@teachandtransform
@indigenouseducators
@booksfightback
@indigenouscheerleader
@latinxparenting
@latinxinkidlit
@deonnasmith (formerly readlikearockstar)
@readlikearockstarteaching
@theconsciouskid
@thetututeacher
@mrchazz
Books
A kids book about white privilege.
A Family is a Family is a Family
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Videos
Center for Racial Justice in Education
If you believe something is missing or incorrect here, please contact: Katie Kramer | Manager | DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging) | katiekramer@f4mlou.com