June 12, 2020

At the PMA this week we have been publicly quiet, while we’ve taken time to listen, learn, and absorb not only the events but also the emotions that are all around us and in us. George Floyd’s murder has justifiably ripped at the fabric of our communities, revealing the open wounds of race relations in this country and in our profession. This is a moment of truth, a moment for self-examination, a moment to educate ourselves. The PMA is doing just that.

Since last week, we have had a series of board meetings and many discussions to explore and plan ways to fulfill on our commitment to anti-racism.



The first immediate practical step is to change some of our processes relating to our election of board directors which is in process right now. We have removed one of the eligibility requirements to be a board member. Previously, in addition to being a PMA Member, applicants had to have attended one of the last two PMA conferences. The reason for that was that board members were so involved in designing the event, that we wanted directors who were familiar with it. However, we now can see that this requirement is exclusionary, so we have removed it. We have already received some wonderful applications for the 2021 board, and we are hoping with an additional window of opportunity, that even more people will come forward to get involved. We are going to push the dissemination of a ballot a few weeks into the future (dates TBC), to give us time to re-open the Call for Nominees. Please stand by for this new Call for Nominees. Members will receive it in their inboxes soon.

We are also making plans for our new Diversity Committee. We are grateful that a number of people have already volunteered to be part of it. We will be reaching out with a Call for Committee Members soon. We want to get started.

People are in profound pain. Lives have been lost. Families have been ripped apart. Parents and children are living in fear. Racism is both a social justice problem and a public health problem. Pilates improves health and is an instrument of healing and vitality. We need to find ways for the Black community to be more of a part of it, to feel welcomed, included, and valued for their contributions – as teachers, clients, and studio owners.

Please know that work is being done in the background (it never seems to happen fast enough at times like this) that you will see rolled out over the weeks and months ahead.

Within any crisis lies great opportunity. I believe that collectively we are embarking upon one of the greatest and most profound learning experiences and transformational shifts of all time.

In health,

Elizabeth Anderson
Executive Director

 
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