The Associate Antiracism Committee: A Valuable Link with SDART

By Daphne Skretvedt

There are more than 400 Springfield Dominican associates spread over a wide geographic area in the U.S and Peru. Called to embody the Springfield Dominican charism, they share the sisters’ commitment to understanding and dismantling systemic racism in all spheres of life.

The core of this effort is the work of SDART, the Springfield Dominican Antiracism Team, mandated by General Chapter in 2004 to implement its antiracism vision. SDART members are organized into stakeholder working groups which strategize for and implement the congregational antiracist vision in all of its ministries. The SDART associate working group, established in 2022, has formed an associate antiracism committee to reach out to all associates and give impetus to the study of systemic racism among all associates.

The associate antiracism committee is a dynamic group of 18 participants which meets bimonthly and virtually. Margaret Lombe captured its essence when she said “We are Springfield Dominican associates who explicitly live out the congregation’s commitment to understanding and dismantling systemic racism so as to promote antiracism in all spheres of life.” She added, “We carry out this commitment by learning through community interaction, one-on-one conversations, reflections, discussions, and living out the gospel mandate of promoting a just world.”

“Listening, learning, and sharing in faith and friendship make tackling the difficult work of antiracism achievable.

The group uses sources like webinars, videos, TED talks, and articles for study and discussion of systemic racism. Books are recommended. The group is now studying Caste by Isabele Wilkerson. Anne Hilofsky and Douglas King have been particularly helpful in researching literature and resources to further the group’s understanding of the subject. Another important role of the committee is to share information with all associates—including prayer associates—who can access resources either through virtual events, email communication, or at cluster meetings.

A further source of information and sharing has been taking place at the motherhouse where Sister Mary Clare Fichtner, Anne Hilofsky, and Molly Joseph—all members of SDART—have prepared materials to acquaint the sisters with the culture and history of diverse peoples for occasions like Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Native American Heritage Month. Thus, in November the displays they prepared were focused on indigenous peoples.

Perhaps one of the most valuable outcomes of the AARC is the effect that it has had on its participants.

“We see that in the smaller groups some of our members have gotten confidence to grow and moved on to be part of other committees in order to spread the Dominican charism” said Charlie and Kattie Minor. “This is a blessing to SDART.”

“There is a comfortableness in being together as associates” commented Judy Babb Troxell. “Listening, learning, and sharing in faith and friendship make tackling the difficult work of antiracism achievable. Meeting regularly with a robust agenda, the opportunities for growth are abundant in being a member of the antiracism committee. But what I value most are the experiences and the strength that is shared and kept in a sacred space. I am grateful to be part of a team that continues to bring the important issue of antiracism to every life in a deep and meaningful way that inspires and empowers change.”

Daphne, an associate since 2002, is also a founding member of SDART and serves on the SDART associate working group and the associate antiracism committee.