The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) is facing an internal crisis as three full chapter boards and several individual members have resigned following controversial remarks made by President-elect Gabrielle Grazi regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
The Chicago, Northern California (NorCal), and San Diego chapter boards announced their collective resignations, citing dissatisfaction with Grazi’s comments at the 2024 National Annual Membership meeting. Individual members also took to social media platforms like Instagram to express their discontent and resign in solidarity.
Grazi’s speech on December 10 acknowledged past missteps in WJA’s inclusivity efforts but also suggested that focusing on DEI had led to unintended exclusion of longstanding members. Her statement sparked backlash, particularly among members advocating for continued DEI prioritization.
In response, WJA National clarified that Grazi’s comments were her personal views and not representative of the organization. Despite her public apology and an internal effort to address concerns, dissatisfaction remained widespread, prompting mass resignations.
Former chapter leaders and members voiced their frustration, arguing that WJA’s leadership failed to fully address concerns about its DEI commitments. Many criticized the organization’s reluctance to engage with external social issues, with some calling for Grazi’s resignation.
As WJA scrambles to repair its reputation, the jewelry industry watches closely—will the association recover, or is this a turning point for its leadership and mission?