About International Women's Day, International Women's Day (IWD) was started in 1911 and is held annually on March 8. It is a global day to celebrate social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also a day to raise awareness about women's equality and to call for positive change advancing women. In addition, one of the IWD's seven missions is to forge inclusive work cultures where women's careers thrive…, Join Our 2023 Event Committee, We are in the early stages of planning the 4th Annual International Women's Day at the UMass President's Office. We welcome anyone interested in contributing to this event to complete our 2023 IWD Volunteer Form ., What are ways in which you can contribute as a volunteer?, You can contribute in one or more ways, including: Bring topic ideas to the table during our initial planning meetings. Volunteer to present on a topic that interests you. Assist with identifying and booking event speakers. Assist with compiling resources for the event website. Coordinate practice sessions with event speakers and IT support. Facilitate the Q&A at a live event on March 8.…
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Join us on Friday, January 27 at 12:00 p.m. for “A Conversation with Artemis Joukowsky and Latifa Woodhouse about American Altruism” on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In this one-hour event, attendees will learn about the heroic acts of Artemis’s grandparents, Waitstill and Martha Sharp during the Holocaust. Attendees will also get to hear firsthand from Latifa Woodhouse, whose own…, Share a Family Member's Name for Our Moment of Remembrance, We'll hold a moment of remembrance for those lost in the Holocaust at the beginning of the event. If you have a family member that lost their life in the Holocaust, please feel free to email Cheryl Millett by Wednesday, January 25 to have their name included in the moment of remembrance.
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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 January 22, although celebrations will typically last 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year's Eve (January 21) until February 5., 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 Rabbit, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit and is predicted to bring hope. The zodiac sign is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity. You are considered a rabbit if you were born after the Chinese New Year in 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, or 1939. Additionally, if you were born before the Chinese New Year in one of the years immediately following those above (2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, etc.),…, Upcoming Chinese New Year Events, Lunar New Year at the MFA, Thursday, February 2, 2023 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Ring in the Year of the Rabbit at MFA Boston! Stop by on Thursday evening, February 2, and celebrate the Lunar New Year by exploring Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese art from our collection—including works on view in the exhibition “Otherworldly Realms of Wu Junyong.” The MFA will also have Chinese Brush Painting Art…, Chinatown's Annual Lion Dance Parade and Cultural Village, Sunday, January 29, 2023 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Philips Square (corner of Harrison Ave and Beach Street) On Sunday, January 29, Chinatown will hold its annual Lion Dance Parade (date subject to change based on the weather – check The Boston Calendar for any updates). The parade kicks off with an opening ceremony at the main stage in Philips Square and continues its way through other nearby…
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Join us on Friday, January 27 at 12:00 p.m. for “A Conversation with Artemis Joukowsky and Latifa Woodhouse about American Altruism” on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In this one-hour event, attendees will learn about the heroic acts of Artemis’s grandparents, Waitstill and Martha Sharp during the Holocaust. Attendees will also get to hear firsthand from Latifa Woodhouse, whose own…, Share a Family Member's Name for Our Moment of Remembrance, We'll hold a moment of remembrance for those lost in the Holocaust at the beginning of the event. If you have a family member that lost their life in the Holocaust, please feel free to email Cheryl Millett by Wednesday, January 25 to have their name included in the moment of remembrance.
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A President's Office DEIA Team was established in January 2022, In 2022, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility team grew from an initiative run by University Information Technology Services to a UMass President's Office collaborative with representatives from each department serving on an overall planning team. In addition, the President's Office launched a DEIA website to highlight a Diversity Calendar, Educational Resources, and Upcoming…, The DEIA Team facilitated 10 Events in 2022, The DEIA team hosted many events celebrating, highlighting, and raising awareness of important milestones, groups, causes and events., February 18 and March 1:, Between the World and Me Book Discussions with Professor Joseph N. Cooper., March 8: , 3rd Annual International Women's Day., March 31: , LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Communications with Tiffany Cook for Transgender Day of Visibility., May 17:, Mental Health Awareness Webinar., June 3:, Stonewall Uprising Video Discussion facilitated by John Dunlap for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month., June 16:, Juneteenth Presentation by Professor Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson., July 26:, Disability Pride and Culture in Higher Ed interview with liz thomson and Jeff Edelstein for Disability Pride Month., September 23:, Chanda Wolf presented her family's story, "Unspeakable Truths: One Family’s Survival from Cambodia’s Killing Fields", November 9:, Veterans Day Program with Distinguished Marine Corps Veterans Thomas Lyons and Patrick George., December 12:, Indigenous Peoples of the Commonwealth and National Day of Mourning with Cedric Wolf., Acknowledgements, We’d like to thank all of the speakers who have participated in our events this past year. We’d also like to acknowledge the work done by our DEIA team members who coordinate and support these events., Thank you to our 2022 Volunteers!, A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered on the DEIA Team, the DEIA Communications Sub-Committee, and the various event committees in 2022. Please take a moment to take a look at the volunteer list and recognize a colleague for their contributions.
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We want to recognize that while our previous communication detailed Chinese New Year, it did not recognize that Lunar New Year is a more inclusive name for the holiday that is celebrated beyond China in many different ways., About Lunar New Year, With roots in ancient China and tied to the lunar calendar, Lunar New Year is celebrated across East and Southeast Asia as well as in diaspora communities. Lunar New Year is a time to gather with family, honor ancestors, and celebrate with food and traditions. This year, Lunar New Year began on January 22 and will last until the first full moon of the year, February 5., Lunar New Year Traditions, Lunar New Year is celebrated in a variety of ways across different cultures. In, China, , Lunar New Year is celebrated by cleaning to rid the house of the bad luck from the previous year and to make the house a welcoming place for good luck, decorating the home with red to symbolize joy and good fortune, and gathering for New Year’s Eve meal, the most important dinner of the year. In, Vietnam, , Vietnamese New Year, Tết, celebrates the arrival of spring based on the Vietnamese calendar, and is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. Tết celebrations start on the 1st day of Lunar calendar and usually lasts for at least three days. The first day of the New Year is reserved for parents to celebrate with their children. Children receive a red envelope with money in a…, Korea, , Korean New Year, Seollal, is a traditional festival and national holiday which takes part over three days - the day before, the day of, and the day after the Korean New Year's Day. It is typically a family holiday where many return to their hometowns to celebrate. People often make their first visits to their elders, including parents, in-laws, uncles, aunts, and grandparents, where they…, Singapor, , families celebrate the New Year by honoring their ancestors at temples, enjoy sticky rice cakes, pineapple tarts, or traditional raw fish salad, and visit the Chingay Parade . In, Malaysia, , Lunar New Year welcomes spring with families gathering, celebrating with Yee sang (a salad dish), Nian gao (a rice flour cake), and mandarin oranges. Red envelopes, ang pow, are exchanged, and traditional clothing such as cheongsam or qipao are worn. In, Taiwan, , Lunar New Year is celebrated by gathering with family, making food such as Nian gao (dumplings), pineapple, and fish. Red envelopes are also exchanged. In the, Philippines, , Lunar New Year is celebrated with a traditional midnight meal called Media Noche complete with round-shaped fruits. People jump up in the air at midnight, as tradition goes it will make them taller, and wear polka dots for prosperity and good fortune. Families come together and enjoy other traditional dishes such as sticky rice or long noodles. To read more about the history of Lunar New Year…
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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 February., Upcoming Observances, Note that National Freedom Day, Black History Month, and Japanese American Incarceration During World War II are covered under the "Additional Awareness Events this Month" section below., National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Wednesday, February 1, In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5606 to create a National Women in Sports Day to recognize the contributions women's sports have made to this country, and of the need to further advance women's sports. Originally established on February 4, the day is now recognized on a different day each year during the first week in February and the name of the day has been updated to…, Parinirvana Day, Wednesday, 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 one’s own future death and on people whom one has known who have recently died. Meditations are done for the recently…, Susan B. Anthony Day, Wednesday, 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. Born in Adams, Massachusetts, a statue of Susan B. Anthony was unveiled at the Adams Town…, The Carnival of Brazil, Friday, February 17, The Carnival of Brazil begins the Friday before Ash Wednesday and is the most popular holiday in Brazil. Similar to Mardi Gras, the festivities mark a time of indulging before Lenten fasting begins. Customs vary by city, including large parades in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Vitoria. The Carnival was originally introduced to Brazil by the Portuguese; Brazilians expanded it to include customs…, Maha Shivarati (Hindu), Saturday, February 18, Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of the god Shiva. This notable, solemn festival marks the "overcoming of darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva., Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian Lunar New Year), Tuesday, February 21, Tsagaan Sar, one of the most important Mongolian holidays, celebrates the first day of the year according to the Mongolian lunisolar calendar. It is recognized by Mongol people as well as some Turkic people. On Bituun (New Year’s Eve), families settle any issues of the past year and clean their houses to start the New Year fresh. New Year’s Day customs vary by region and can include burning a…, Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, Tuesday, February 21, Mardi Gras, which means Fat Tuesday, is a Christian holiday that takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Known as Shrove Tuesday in Anglican countries, the main focus of the event is to enjoy rich foods before the 40 days of Lenten fasting begins. Several countries celebrate Mardi Gras, including Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and different…, Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, February 22, 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 symbolize mortality and are ceremonially placed on the heads of Christians on Ash Wednesday. The ashes are created from the palm leaves used to celebrate the previous Palm Sunday, a celebration of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem just days…, Additional Awareness Events this Month, The DEIA Communications team will send out individual communications around the following awareness events this month: National Freedom Day and Black History Month Day of Remembrance of Japanese American Incarceration During World War II – February 19, 2023
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About National Freedom Day, National Freedom Day is observed yearly on February 1. Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., a former slave, fought to have a day when freedom for all Americans is celebrated. When Wright got his freedom, he went on to become a successful businessman and community leader in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Major Wright chose February 1 as National Freedom Day in recognition of the 13th Amendment. It was on…, How Black History Week Became Black History Month, Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired…, Coretta Scott King, – Mrs. King’s work and passion is highlighted in a new film “ Dear Coretta ”, Quock Walker, – Learn about this local man who fled his enslavement and sued for his freedom on the Black Gems Unearthed YouTube channel maintained by Brandeis staff member, Jazz Dottin., Ida B. Wells, – A journalist and activist for women’s rights who documented the widespread practice of lynching. Learn more about her at the Ida Wells Society Namesake page ., Additional resources, The Association for the Study of African American Life and History founded Black History Month. The organization's mission is to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community. The Black History Month Library of Congress site is a collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the…
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Event Description, Join us for a UMass President’s Office International Women's Day conversation featuring Chaya Mallavaram, who will be talking about how one can find your inner peace. Her presentation will be focusing on: Empowering Listeners to Recognize innate Core Strengths Help Find Your Inner Peace and Contentment Creating Awareness of the Betterment of Humanity There will be an opportunity for Q&A with…, Learning Objectives, Empower Listeners to Recognize innate Core Strengths Help Find Inner Peace and Contentment Create Awareness of the Betterment of Humanity
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Event Description, A 2023 UMass President’s Office International Women's Day conversation featuring Dr. Nicole Melton, Associate Department Chair & Associate Professor of Sport Management at UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management, and Lisa Calise, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance and Treasurer at the President's Office, advocates for gender equality. Attendees gained valuable insights…, Moderator, Ashley Hunter, Unified Procurement Services Team, Learning Objectives, Raise awareness of the issues and challenges facing women in achieving equality and their impact on society. Develop effective strategies and best practices for promoting gender equity in various sectors, such as education and sports. Overcoming challenges of being a woman in leadership.
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