Page 5 - July-Aug 2021 Vol 39 No 2

TCAPWA Executive
Committee Overcoming an

tennessee.apwa.net
PRESIDENT: Justin Holland Unconscious Bias
Client Account Manager, Jacobs Engineering
justin.holland@jacobs.com
(423) 779-3075 In the spirit of Sophia (of the Golden Girls), picture a
PRESIDENT ELECT: John Fox restaurant in Texas. I was on my way to a Re-Accreditation
Operations Assistant, Collierville Site visit in Austin, Texas. After the plane landed, I needed
jfox@colliervilletn.gov to use the restroom.
(901) 457-2800 I know that I looked up and saw the stick-figured version
VICE-PRESIDENT: Nicholas Bradshaw of a woman wearing a dress. As I walked in, a male was
Director of Fleet Services there changing his daughter’s diapers.
nbradshaw@knoxvilletn.gov I gasped and said I am so sorry. His reply was “This is an
(865) 215-2150 all gender restroom.” There I was with a decision to make: Kimberly Strong
SECRETARY: John Chlarson do you stay or do you walk out? I decided to stay but was so uncomfortable knowing that
Public Works Consultant, MTAS a male was in the bathroom. My stall door was locked but I have to admit that I still felt
john.chlarson@tennessee.edu
(731) 695-2472 uncomfortable.
TREASURER: Kenny Wiggins After I came out of the restroom, I embarked on a mission to see how the signage has
Retired changed for bathroom users over the years.
tcapwa.treasurer@gmail.com I can remember a time when the option was male only or female only, and with the
(865) 679-9724 passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the wheelchair was added to the
WEST DIRECTOR: Ethan Skaggs restroom signage. As our society has advanced in less than 35 years, restroom signage has
Principal Engineer, LDA Engineering evolved to give us more diverse choices of a restroom environment in which we feel most
eskaggs@ldaengineering.com comfortable.
(901) 568-1929 Restroom designs are evolving to become all-inclusive spaces, offering equitable access
MIDDLE DIRECTOR: Regina Santana to diverse populations and promoting gender inclusivity.
Engineering Services Director, Lebanon Fast forward to 2020, right before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. While attending
rsantana@lebanontn.org a conference in a Chattanooga upscale hotel, the announcement was made that the
(615) 444-3647 restrooms closest to our session rooms were flooded. There was a leak in the facility’s
UPPER EAST DIRECTOR: Bryon Fortner underground pipes, and water was coming up from the floor.
Public Works Director, Sevierville As fate would have it, I needed to use the restroom.
bfortner@seviervilletn.org They told us that we could go to the other end of the hotel, where several restrooms
(865) 429-4567 were available. Once I arrived at the restrooms we were re-routed to, all of the stalls were
LOWER EAST DIRECTOR: Eric Sines undoubtedly full.
Director of Public Works, Collegedale The hotel staff attendant said another restroom was available. I looked up and it was an
esines@collegedaletn.gov
(423) 468-1983 all gender restroom. There I was, thinking about my experience in Austin, Texas - do I go
in or do I wait in the long line for the available stall in the women’s restroom? I decided to
COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS DELEGATE:
Kimberly Strong go into the all gender restroom. When I walked out, the line was still long for the “women’s
Public Information Specialist restroom.”
kstrong@chattanooga.gov Several of the women in the long line gave me what the younger generation would call
(423) 643-6187 a “side eye,” and a few of the women got out of the long line and went into the all gender
PAST PRESIDENT: Phillip Jones restroom.
Operations Manager, Metro Nashville And here we are in the present - 2021 - where we all have seen a transition to gender
phillip.jones@nashville.gov neutral restrooms, including family changing stations in restaurants, bars, resorts,
(615) 533-2377 conference centers, schools and even in our workplaces.
CHAPTER ADMINISTRATOR: Mark Miller The moral to the story is: even though I have been actively
Public Works Director, Pigeon Forge engaged in diversity, equity and inclusion for over a decade,
P.O. Box 1350, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 I recognize that technology and cultures change. I must
markmillertcapwa@gmail.com continue to keep abreast and notate my own unconscious
(865) 429-7312 bias towards things that potentially make me uncomfortable.
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR: So, as we plan future conferences and meetings, we
Bonnie Mumpower Dodson should be very mindful to ensure that the venue has all-
Accounts Coordinator, Chattanooga
bmumpower@chattanooga.gov inclusive restrooms. This practice will help ensure that our
(423) 643-6031 attendees feel not only comfortable and safe, but most of all,
TPW PUBLISHER: Klair Kimmey included.
P.O. Box 22491, Knoxville, TN 37933 The submission of this article is an opinion piece, and
klair@tnpublicworks.com serves as an educational tool for others who may have had
(865) 288-0815; (865) 924-4956 the same experience as I did.

View online at tnpublicworks.com 5