January 27, 2022 In November 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to assign January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day . January 27 marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau , one of the most infamous and deadliest concentration camps of the Holocaust. The UN General Assembly designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day with the mission to serve as a date to…, Commemoration, Every year since 2010, the UN Headquarters’ commemorations are focused on a new educational theme. The specific themes focus on topics such as collective experiences and universal human rights. The 2022 theme is “Memory, Dignity, and Justice,” which is focusing on preserving historical records and challenging distortion in order to claim justice., Wednesday, January 26 at 6:00 PM EST, If you are interested in participating in activities honoring those lost from the horrible and unnecessary events of the Holocaust, you can attend the virtual 2022 International Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration where Holocaust survivors and other victims of Nazi persecution will speak on their experiences., Resources, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum United Nations: 2022 Holocaust Remembrance
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Dear President’s Office Colleagues, As many of you are aware, President Meehan recently established an expanded UMass President’s Office Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Team. This 13-member committee includes representation from across the UMPO workforce and is staffed by members of the Human Resources team. The Team is actively working to identify and help implement best…
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Happy Chinese New Year to all who celebrate!, About Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in China and Chinese communities around the world. This year, Chinese New Year falls on February 1, although celebrations will typically last 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year's Eve (January 31) until February 15., Chinese New Year Traditions, Prior to the Chinese New Year, households are thoroughly cleaned to rid the house of the bad luck from the previous year and to make the house a welcoming place for good luck. In addition, houses are decorated with fresh red paint, red cut-out decorations, and red lanterns, as red symbolizes joy and good fortune. The Chinese New Year’s Eve meal is the most important dinner of the year. Families…, The Year of the Tiger, 2022 is the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger is known as the king of all beasts in China. The zodiac sign is a symbol of strength, exorcising evils, and braveness. You are considered a tiger if you were born after the Chinese New Year in 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, or 1938. Additionally, if you were born before the Chinese New Year in one of the years immediately following those above (…
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February is Black History Month!, In February, we take the time to honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans to our country. Originally founded as Negro History Week in 1926 by American Historian Carter G. Woodson, this is the time we reflect and recognize the prominent role of African Americans in U.S. history. Starting in 1976, every U.S. President has officially designated the month of February as Black…, "Health and Wellness" Leaders, While the contributions of African Americans are too many to name, we thought we’d take a look at some who have positively impacted our society in recent years through the lens of this year's theme, "Health and Wellness.", Immunologist Kizzmekia Corbett - , Kizzmekia Corbett, PhD, is a research fellow and the scientific lead for the Coronavirus Vaccines & Immunopathogenesis Team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Vaccine Research Center (VRC). Her work proved critical to developing vaccines in record times, and Corbett led the team that designed the highly effective coronavirus…, Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles, - Widely recognized as being the best gymnast of all time, Simone Biles made headlines again in 2020 when she made the courageous decision to withdraw from the team final competition at the Tokyo Olympics to prioritize her mental health. , American Nursing Association President Ernest Grant, - Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, is the 36th president of the American Nurses Association, the nation's largest nurses organization which represents the interests of the nation's 4 million registered nurses. He is the first African American man to hold that role ., UMass President's Office DEIA Team to Host Book Discussions, The UMass President's Office DEIA Team will be hosting a book discussion to celebrate Black History Month. Please join us on February 18th and March 1st as we discuss Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates . The discussions will be led by UMass Boston Professor Joseph N. Cooper. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information! We have attached a link above in case anyone would like to…, National Freedom Day, Major Richard Robert Wright Senior, a former slave, advocated February 1 as National Freedom Day because it was the day in 1865 that President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment, an important change to our written law, outlawed slavery in the United States. After Wright was freed from slavery as a youth, he went on to become a successful businessman and…
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Please join us for UMass President's Office’s first virtual book discussion event, in honor of Black History Month. Hosted by UMPO’s DEIA Team, this is a great opportunity to meet and connect with colleagues and learn through different perspectives. The book is Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, which is narrated by the author as a letter to his teenage son. It’s a manageable 150…, Register to Attend, We are extremely pleased to announce that Professor Joseph N. Cooper , PhD, Endowed Chair, Associate Professor, and Special Assistant for Black Life to UMass Boston Chancellor Suárez-Orozco has agreed to facilitate both discussions for UMPO employees. , Friday, February 18, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. for the book discussion with Prof. Cooper. February 18 Discussion Zoom Registration, Tuesday, March 1 , from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. for the broader discussion with Prof. Cooper with no need to have read the book. March 1 Discussion Zoom Registration, Questions?, Contact the Black History Month Program Committee, Meeta Gill and Sandra Torres.
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The DEIA Communications team sends monthly emails about upcoming diversity awareness events recognized either nationally or internationally due to their cultural, historical, or religious significance. See below for several diversity dates to be aware of in the month of February., Parinirvana Day, Tuesday, February 15 , Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day, is an annual Buddhist festival that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached Nirvana at the age of 80. Most Buddhists celebrate Nirvana Day on February 15. Others celebrate it on February 8. The day is used as an opportunity to reflect on the fact of one’s own future death and on people whom one has known who have recently died. Meditations are done for…, Susan B. Anthony Day, Tuesday, February 15 , Susan B. Anthony Day is a commemorative holiday to celebrate the birth of Susan B. Anthony. It is currently recognized by four states (California, Florida, New York, and Wisconsin). Susan B. Anthony is known for her leadership in the long campaign for women's right to vote in the United States and abroad. She was born in Adams, Massachusetts. Her birthplace is a museum and the town also unveiled…, World Day of Social Justice, Sunday, February 20 , World Day of Social Justice is an international day where we collectively recognize the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to address global issues like poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections. This day of observance was established by the United Nations General Assembly on November 26, 2007, and is celebrated annually on…, Awareness Events Previously Covered this Month, The DEIA Communications team sent the following awareness communications this month: Chinese New Year Black History Month and National Freedom Day
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Save the Date: International Women's Day, March is both Women's History Month and Gender Equality Month. It is a time to come together and celebrate the accomplishments of women. It is also a time to reflect on the progress we've made and the strides that we continue to make towards equality at home, in the workplace, and in our communities. March 8 provides us with a day for everyone to come together and celebrate women's achievements…
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As Black History Month draws to an end, remember, it is not too late to register for the Between the World and Me book discussion , tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me is narrated by the author as a letter to his teenage son. Professor Joseph N. Cooper , PhD, Endowed Chair, Associate Professor, and Special Assistant for Black Life to UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco will facilitate the discussion. This is a great opportunity to meet and connect with colleagues and learn through different…, Everyone is welcome to participate, Even if you haven’t read the book, , you are welcome to participate, share your perspective or just listen. Also, if you participated in the February 18 discussion, and wish to join tomorrow, please register below. Register for the March 1 discussion . , Reminder: , Download the iCal file you'll receive in the confirmation email and add it to your Outlook calendar., Questions?, Contact the Black History Month Program Committee, Meeta Gill and Sandra Torres.
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The DEIA Communications team sends out monthly emails about upcoming diversity awareness events recognized either nationally or internationally due to their cultural, historical, or religious significance. See below for several diversity dates to be aware of in the month of March., Month-Long Observances, Note that Women's History Month is covered under the Additional Awareness Events this Month section below., Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the month of March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in 1987. The term developmental disabilities covers a wide range of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about including people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life. It also creates awareness…, Greek-American Heritage Month, March is Greek-American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the core components of Greek culture and ideals. Also known as Hellenic History Month, the celebration coincides with National Greek Independence Day on March 25. For generations of Greek-Americans, preserving the culture, religion, and language of Greece are focal points in their lives. Each year throughout the month of March,…, Irish-American Heritage Month , Irish-American Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Irish-Americans to American history. Much of that history is rooted in Massachusetts, and Middlesex County has the fourth-largest population of Irish-Americans in the nation according to the 2019 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census . Congress established March as Irish-American Heritage Month in 1991,…, Week and Day Observances , Note that International Women's Day, the Springtime Celebrations (Holi, Nowruz, and and Shunbun No Hi) and International Transgender Day of Visibility are covered under the Additional Awareness Events this Month section below., Mardi Gras, Tuesday, March 1, The tradition of Mardi Gras celebrations can be dated back to thousands of years ago to pagan rituals of spring and fertility. The arrival of Christianity in Rome influenced religious leaders to incorporate the popular traditions of Mardi Gras into the new faith, resulting in the excess and debauchery of the season becoming a prelude to Lent. Traditionally celebrated on “ Fat Tuesday ,” in many…, Ash Wednesday , Wednesday, March 2, Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day of prayer and fasting that marks the start of Lent. Ash Wednesday is traditionally observed by Western Christians. Ashes are ceremonially placed on the heads of Christians on Ash Wednesday, either sprinkled over their heads or, in English-speaking countries, usually marked on their foreheads as a cross., Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, Sunday, March 13 through Saturday, March 19, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is dedicated to raising awareness, sharing stories, and inspiring motivation to make change for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). More than 2.3 million people, worldwide, have been diagnosed with MS. MS damages the central nervous system and interferes with nerve signals between the brain and the spinal cord as well as other parts of the body.…, Purim, Wednesday, March 16 through Thursday, March 17 , Purim is the Jewish holiday in which Jews commemorate being saved from persecution in the ancient Persian empire. Purim is celebrated by dressing up in costume, giving gifts and charity, drinking, and eating. Purim does not fall on the same date each year as it's based on the Hebrew calendar. This year, Purim begins on the evening of March 16 and concludes at sundown on March 17. , Saint Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held annually on March 17. Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who is credited with introducing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century, St. Patrick’s Day has also evolved into a secular celebration of Irish heritage and culture. The people of Ireland have observed St. Patrick’s Day for…, International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Friday, March 25, In 2007, the UN designated March 25th as International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade. This annual observance offers the opportunity to honor and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. It is also a time to raise awareness about the dangers of racism, prejudice, and slavery that have happened and continue all over…, Additional Awareness Events this Month , The DEIA Communications team will send out email campaigns around the following awareness events this month: Women's History Month, International Women's Day, and Equal Pay Day Springtime Cultural Celebrations: Holi (Friday, March 18); Nowruz (Sunday, March 20); and Shunbun No Hi (Monday, March 21). International Transgender Day of Visibility – Thursday, March 31, Questions?, Please contact the DEIA Communications team with any questions or feedback.
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International Women's Day (IWD) is observed annually around the world on March 8. IWD celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women from around the world. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality., Register to Celebrate International Women's Day on Tuesday, March 8, This International Women’s Day , we’re coming together to celebrate the leadership, strength, and courage of women and girls and to reinforce a commitment to women's equality. We hope to learn and grow with a day of events based on the IWD theme ‘Break the Bias ’. UMass President's Office employees and invited guests can now register for the 2022 International Women's Day on March 8, 2022…
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