Museum of Fine Arts: Rosa Rodriguez-Williams on Creating an Equitable World, Museums During Covid, and More
“You could say this is my first museum experience, as museums had never been part of my experience growing up. This role has exposed me to a new, amazing world I didn’t know anything about. “ Today’s woman dreamer, Rosa Rodriguez-Williams, is the Senior Director, Belonging & Inclusion, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), a favorite spot for many Bostonians. Ever wonder what it is like to work at a museum? Or how they have been affected by Covid-19? With a lifelong passion for creating an equitable world, Rosa shares her exciting career journey.
1) Tell us your story. What inspired your passion for diversity and inclusion?
I was born in Puerto Rico. I grew up as part of an immigrant, multiracial Puerto Rican family in low-income, high-crime inner city Lawrence, Massachusetts. My friends growing up were of different races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identities. I am a first generation college student who borrowed her way through a good education, with the love and support of beautiful parents who wished they could do more. I earned a bachelor of science in sociology and a masters in social work.
I am a white presenting woman of color who benefits from white skin privilege until the Rodriguez part of my name is uttered and the fact I’m Puerto Rican is revealed, folks act very differently then. These are the intersections by which I experience the world. ⠀
Why do I do this work? When I was 15 years old, my brother was 17, we were driving home. On our way home we saw the lights of a police cruiser that had decided to pull us over. I don’t remember feeling afraid. I am not sure if my brother was, we don’t talk much about the experience anymore. But I do remember the interaction my afro-latino brother had with this white officer. He was aggressively pulled out of the car as I was gently escorted out of my seat. He said, young lady are you ok? Are you here because you want to be? Bewildered I looked at him, as I replied to him “he’s my brother, of course I am”. Our conversation taking place while my brother was pushed unto the hood of the car, with a look of panic in his eyes. Once there wasn’t anything found on my brother, we were let go. We were never told why we were stopped.
As I look back at my life, my entire life has been devoted to creating space for the marginalized, advocating for policy, and dismantling structures that oppress BIPOC and marginalized groups. This moment and story is my why. Why do I do this work? Because helping to create an equitable world, and lending my gifts and talents in order to create it is embedded deep in my soul. A ministry of sorts, to foster spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. I want to see people treated fairly, and justly; that they too have access to all that belongs to us all.
You know when you are a kid your answer to what do you want to be when you grow up is probably never, “inclusion specialist” (maybe today it might be) but if I had known what that meant back then, I think I might have said it.
2) As the Senior Director of Belonging and Inclusion at the MFA, tell us about your role. What are some exciting projects you have worked on?
My role requires that I collaborate with colleagues across the museum—from curators to educators to front line staff—to develop strategies, practices and solutions that will establish and ensure equal experiences are had, equal opportunity is given, and equal voices are heard within the museum. When I first started in September 2020, I mostly focused on meeting folks, and familiarizing myself with the Museum. I was on a listening tour of sorts, taking time to meet with colleagues to observe and learn about what they do and how they do it. Additionally, I worked on several early projects, including, the launch of new affinity groups for staff, the MFA’s internship program, K-12 curriculums, and volunteer training.
3) With the pandemic, museums have had to make several provisions and adaptations. What has that experience been like from your perspective? How has the museum changed? What should museum attendees know?
Because I began my position during the pandemic, I don’t have a great answer for this question. What I can tell you is that starting when I did has been interesting for sure. I look forward to a time when the museum is fully open and the pandemic is behind us.
As I write this, the Museum is closed again due to the mayor’s directives and we don’t yet have a reopening date. When that time comes, visitors should know that the MFA has implemented incredible safety measures and that there are many spacious galleries open for people to explore the beauty that is the MFA. Everyone needs to purchase tickets for exhibitions and general admission online (mfa.org), wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
4) What was your favorite exhibit at the MFA?
You could say this is my first museum experience, as museums had never been part of my experience growing up. This role has exposed me to a new, amazing world I didn’t know anything about. Thus far, “Writing the Future: Basquiat and the Hip-Hop Generation” has been my favorite. I grew up in inner city Lawrence, Massachusetts so walking into that exhibition brought me back to my teen years when break dancing and graffiti art where part of my life. And that is why art is important. The sharing of stories creates in us empathy. I have come to understand that art can connect us in this way. The stories behind the inspiration can create understanding and connection for us even now.
5) As a #Dreamcatchers platform, we have to ask, what is your next big dream?
My next big dream is the work I’m doing now, and the vision that pushes me forward. My vision is one of equity; of dismantling inequity and the institutional structures that require folks to “fit in” instead of feeling a sense of belonging for who they are.
Bio: Rosa Rodriguez-Williams, MSW is the Senior Director of Belonging and Inclusion at theMuseum of Fine Arts. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Rosa Rodriguez-Williams is a skilled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practitioner and strategist with 20+ years of organizational management experience in both higher education and community-based organizations.