On October 16, the Penn State and State College communities once again came together to address a critical issue in today’s world — how to foster dignity amid growing divisions. The third annual PA Dignity Day, held at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, was a powerful reflection on the theme “Leading with Dignity in Divided Times.” The event provided a timely and impactful exploration of how dignity can serve as the foundation for bridging divides and creating lasting change.
Rosalind Wiseman, a nationally recognized expert on dignity in youth culture and author of the bestselling book Queen Bees and Wannabees, which inspired the movie and Broadway musical, Mean Girls, delivered an inspiring keynote speech. With the backdrop of her research, she explored how dignity can transform workplaces, communities, and even larger societal systems. Her message was clear: In an increasingly polarized world, the ability to understand, honor, and uphold dignity is essential for defusing conflicts and building trust.
The conference program was inspired by the Dignity Model developed by Donna Hicks, Ph.D., who headlined last year’s PA Dignity Day. Her model focuses on recognizing the inherent worth of every individual, a theme that threaded throughout the breakout sessions. Conference workshops encouraged attendees to engage deeply with essential dignity principles, such as fairness, acceptance of identity, acknowledgment, and perspective-taking. These sessions weren’t just discussions — they were opportunities to develop practical tools that help individuals and organizations create environments where dignity thrives and conflicts can be transformed into opportunities for growth.
A highlight of the conference was the workshop led by Project Unite, the team behind the Dignity Index. The workshop introduced attendees to the eight-point scale that measures how we treat each other when we disagree. With the current global and national landscapes marked by division and hostility, this session offered a beacon of hope, fostering dialogue that prioritizes cooperation over conflict to help us find our way back to each other.
Ultimately, PA Dignity Day 2024 exemplified dignity in action. It provided attendees with the tools and inspiration needed to lead with dignity in their personal lives, workplaces, and broader communities. As participants left the event, they carried with them a renewed sense of purpose, ready to create more inclusive and compassionate communities.
The Dignity Index: Changing How We Disagree
Disagreements are inevitable, and how we handle them makes all the difference. The Dignity Index measures how we communicate during disagreements, highlighting the importance of using language that fosters connection rather than conflict. It’s not about what we say, but how we say it. Whether in family discussions, workplace debates, or political conversations, the Dignity Index helps turn confrontations into opportunities for more civil, productive dialogue.
Ray Block, Ph.D., professor of political science and African American studies at Penn State, explains how the Dignity Index works and why it’s an essential tool for creating respectful, solution-focused conversations in a world that often feels divided.
Grow Your Dignity Insights and Lead with Dignity
As we continue to embrace and share the principles of dignity, here are some practical steps to help you grow in your understanding and make dignity a guiding force in your life and community. Each action item below is designed to deepen your insights and empower you to lead with dignity in various spaces, from personal relationships to workplaces to community settings. Here’s how you can start:
Explore the Dignity Index
- Visit The Dignity Index website to learn more.
- Reflect on its principles for personal growth.
- Consider where dignity practices could make an impact (e.g., classrooms, community organizations).
- Share the Dignity Index with others using resources like the video by Ray Block, a Penn State professor involved in its development.
Initiate Dignity-Focused Programs in Your Community
- If you’re interested in joining or starting dignity-related projects in your workplace, school, or community, email us at PAdignityday@psu.edu to be connected with others doing similar work.