West Virginia's Civil Rights

Penny Sheeler Recognized

The West Virginia Civil Rights Advisory Committee recognized Penny Sheeler for her efforts in compiling an updated civil rights poster list and presented her with a non-monetary award.

During recent civil rights field office reviews the committee noted discrepancies in the required civil rights posters from office to office. The committees decided to research and compile an updated and accurate list of required posters. The task was not as simple as anticipated.

Penny located the correct and current posters and provided well-organized materials, kept the committee members and various Special Emphasis Program Managers informed to the status of the updates and reorganization of the State Office posters.

West Virginia NRCS Employee Guide

Whether you’re a new employee, a transferring employee, or experienced employee this guide will provide you with virtually everything you need to know as a federal employee working for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in West Virginia. From pay and benefits to administrative policies and common acronyms, you’ll find a wealth of resources in the following link.

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West Virginia NRCS Employee Guide (773 KB)

Disability Etiquette

Submitted by Marvin Kerr, West Virginia Disability Emphasis Program (DEP) Manager

People with disabilities are not conditions or diseases. They are individual human beings. For example, a person is not an epileptic but rather a person who has epilepsy.

First and foremost they are people. Only secondarily do they have one or more disabling conditions. Hence, they prefer to be referred to in print or broadcast media as people with disabilities.

Tips

1. Many people do not know what to say or how to act when they meet someone with a disability. People with disabilities have the same feelings as you. Treat someone with a disability as you would like to be treated and you can’t go wrong.
   Do not park in a disabled parking space unless you have the proper identification and have a disability that warrants you to park there. People need the bigger area to get out wheelchairs etc.
2. Speak to the person who has the disability and not just someone with them. Be patient and ask questions if you can’t understand them. Never pretend you can understand someone if you do not. Simply say what you think the person said and they will correct it if necessary. Be patient if someone uses a device to communicate with.
3. Do not talk down to the person or like they are a child (unless they really are a child.)
4. If you want to ask someone about their disability, then ask. Be polite and respectful.
5. If it looks like someone with a disability might need some help, just ask them. The worst they can do is say “No, Thank You.”

Speaking and writing:

1. Please avoid these words/terms when referring to a person with a disability. Cripple, victim, defect, and invalid, sick, diseased, wheelchair bound.
2. Please use terms such as physically disabled or “He/she uses a wheelchair…” Remember they are people first and disabled second.

Diversity Day Luncheon

Submitted by Barbara Broxterman

The Civil Rights Advisory Committee and the State Office Employee Association supported this years Diversity Day Luncheon by celebrating our Appalachian History and Heritage on Aug 8, 2007. We explored the diverse cultural history of the Appalachian region and shared each other’s family heritage stories with the group as well. The State Office Employee Association provided the main course and salads and desserts were brought by others. Barbara organized the speakers and luncheon along with Skip, Mike, Jeff and Roseanne pitching in and then Peg and her guests staying to help clean-up. We had two speakers, (Jeff really helped on this) in addition to our own. We had two wonderful guest speakers and they were given a plant in appreciation of their efforts to share with us.

Barbara started the program with music from Copeland’s “Appalachian Spring” and a general power point of the region showing the various cultures and group that founded our beautiful area.

he first speaker was Karen Hudkins Morgan. Ms. Morgan is Education Director at Prickets’ Fort with the Teaching History Through the Arts program. She is also Coordinator of Undergraduate Education and Field Placements at Salem International University. She is a retired public school teacher and has taught English classes for Fairmont State University.

 In the venue of a “storyteller” she spoke about "Appalachia, A Separate Place, The Unique People of ”West Virginia" and it's heritage and cultural diversity. In a humorous and spellbinding way, she traced a brief oral history and culture of early settlers, American Indians, and immigrants who have made the state the best example of a ‘melted pot’ society. The topic focused on the diverse culture and the contributions of early settlers that have made the Appalachian culture of West Virginia unique.

	Mike did a section on WV, and it's American Indian Heritage, Rex spoke about the Hispanic Culture in WV and Herb told us about growing up his farm in WV which goes back many generations.

Sherell Wigal (poet and writer) than read a number of her published and unpublished poems. She is a well know WV poet and writer originally from Roane County, West Virginia.

She was the director of the West Virginia Writer’s annual writer conference for many years, she coordinator of the literary events at the West Virginia State Folk Festival. She has conducted numerous writing workshops throughout the area, and has performed her poetry throughout West Virginia and surrounding states. Her works appear most recently in the anthology Wild Sweet Notes. She mesmerized us and takes us to a place back in time, while she read some of her moving and poetry. One of the poems was about looking remembering our grandmother's hands and how they now and then seem to show up on our mother's or sisters. Her poem about Pokeberries and Chicken Feathers was read to us and she also has a poetry collection by the same name.

The program closed with a list of interesting historical facts or information from the attendees and we were to guess whom it was about.

Whose great, great grandfather, traveled from Switzerland (Canton of Lucerne) to a farm in Indiana in the mid 1800’s as a young boy? Answer Kevin Wickey.

  Lunch followed.

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