It has been 10 months since I took on my role as Chief Diversity Officer. I have spent 28 years of my 59 years on this earth as a registered nurse and often I am asked if I miss being at the bedside. I would answer “Yes, sometimes” but I would also follow that up by saying, “All of my experiences as a nurse are what prepared me for my role as the Diversity Officer for Berkshire Health System.” My life, like most of us, has been a journey of highs and lows. Some of those circumstances were fate, some were self-inflicted, but all those lessons learned are what got me to this point.
Dignity has been a 59-year journey and I am still learning but I often sit back when I am alone, and I wonder how did I get here? Well, the answer is clear, it started with my mother and my brothers and their belief in me and it was all the people along the way who saw something more in me than I had ever seen in myself. It was all the people I cared for as a nurse who taught me not to judge and to honor their dignity because when I did it was an opportunity to change lives. I was far from perfect and when I allowed bias and arrogance to lead my thoughts and direction, I was brought back to reality quickly either by my mother or all those people who believed I could be better. I learned in those instances, and it has kept me humble and taught me how to listen and to advocate for those who have no voice because it was done for me.
I see this opportunity as the Diversity Officer to be the voice of the many and the few. In life sometimes the majority drowns out the voice of the minority. In this role I have to speak out for the minority when their voice goes unheard. It is more than just speaking out. It is recognizing the challenges and inequities that many in our community feel. Whether it is based on age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or socioeconomics I will stand strong and be that voice that not only calls it out but also works on solutions. I live in a county of close to 130,000 people. I tell people all the time that I am the DEI office for all 130,000 residents of this community. Those are not just words. I cannot be successful without that belief. Whether it is one person that comes to me for help or one thousand people my goal is the same, your voice matters and I am here to help.
The part I love about this job is that I get to do what I loved as a nurse and that is to talk to people. I get to do it not from the bedside, but I get to meet them where they are at. I get to know the person where they feel free to speak their mind and share their thoughts and sometimes their fears. I get to just listen and process what is being told to me. My hope is that I can make a difference.
This work is hard and challenging. It is easy to get “caught up” in the emotions and our desire to help everyone. I am realistic. I know my limitations, but this work is about building relationships and when you do that you are not just one person, but you become part of a group of hundreds of dignity warriors. They are people in your community who have committed to helping those that are most vulnerable. I am fortunate to be here in Berkshire County because I get to work with amazing community leaders.
So, do I miss beside nursing, “Yes, sometimes” but no matter what I do I will always be a nurse. Those values are part of my DNA. Nursing introduced me to dignity. It taught me humility, compassion, and patience. All qualities that are important in any job and in life.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 