To the UConn Community:
The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of July:
Heritage Month Celebrations:
Disability Pride Day (July 26) and Month: In the United States, Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to commemorate the July 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life. The ADA guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else in areas like employment, purchasing goods and services, and participating in state and local government programs. In 2008, the ADA was expanded with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), emphasizing that the definition of disability should be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals and not require extensive analysis. Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of people with disabilities. It affirms that disability is a natural and valuable part of human diversity—not a deficit or condition to be fixed.
UConn seeks to ensure that students with disabilities have the same access to programs, opportunities, and activities as all others at UConn. The primary pathway for providing that access comes from the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), which offers a variety of programs and services for students with disabilities, including at UConn Health. Faculty and staff can also request OIE’s training to increase awareness and understanding of disability access and responsibilities at UConn. UConn also offers a Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health.
We are excited to announce the new **Disability Affinity Group** at UConn! This group aims to create a supportive community for UConn employees who identify with a disability or as disabled or have an interest in disability-related topics. Their mission is to foster a welcoming environment for folks to share experiences, support one another, and advocate for inclusivity across UConn. For more information about the Disability Affinity Group, please contact Erin Scanlon (erin.scanlon@uconn.edu).
French American Heritage Month: July is designated as French American Heritage Month and is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the influences and contributions that the French have had on the United States in art, culture, language, etiquette, and more. Approximately 25.8 million Americans claim French- or French-Canadian ancestry, including over 1 million Creole peoples. This month also celebrates historical events that cemented the important relationship between the United States and France. One famous example is the Statue of Liberty, made in Paris and gifted to the U.S. in 1881.
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: In 2008, Congress formally recognized Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month as a time to raise awareness about the unique mental health strengths and challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Campbell was a journalist, teacher, author, and mental health advocate.
Cultural and Federal Holidays:
Independence Day (July 4): The 4th of July is a national holiday commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Though organized around celebrating American independence from England, July 4th also provides an opportunity to celebrate the diverse peoples and cultures who make up our nation.
National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day (July 27): First celebrated by The National Committee on Pay Equity in 1996, this day highlights the impacts of institutional racism in the workplace, especially regarding pay. On average, Black women make 62 cents for every dollar paid to a White man. This day also recognizes that inequalities created by pay disparity have generational consequences, a problem that has been exacerbated during the pandemic.
Religious Holidays:
Ashura (July 6): This holy day for Muslims is celebrated on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year it is expected to fall on July 6, though the exact date may vary depending on the sighting of the moon. Traditions and celebrations vary across regions and between Shia and Sunni communities. For Shia Muslims, Ashura is the most important day of Muharram and marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. It is a day of deep mourning and reflection. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura commemorates the day God saved Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea.
Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i) (July 9): The Martyrdom of the Bab is a holiday commemorating the July 9, 1850, execution of the co-founder of the Baha’i faith, the Báb, in Persia. On this day, the Báb was charged with apostasy and shot by order of the Prime Minister of the Persian Empire. The Martyrdom is commemorated with prayers and reading of the Baha’i scriptures.
Karka Sankranti (July 16): Karka Sankranti is a Hindu observance that marks the beginning of the monsoon season, which starts the phase of agricultural activities. Agriculture is a significant source of income in India. During the four months of Dakshinayana, people worship Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to perform Pitru Tarpan for their ancestors wait for Karka Sankranti to perform rituals that can offer peace to the departed souls.
Birthday of Haile Selassie (July 23): For the more than a million Rastafarians worldwide, the birthday of Haile Selassie is one of the holiest days in the Rastafarian tradition. It is celebrated with Nyahbinghi drumming, hymns, and prayers as a spiritual celebration of his life and legacy. Haile Selassie’s reign as Emperor of Ethiopia made him a globally prominent figure. His teachings and philosophy became the foundation for the Rastafari movement, which began in Jamaica in the 1930s.
Pioneer Day (July 24): Pioneer Day, a significant holiday in Utah, commemorates the arrival of the Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. It’s a day of celebration, reflecting the bravery and determination of those who settled in the area. Many events and activities throughout the state honor this historical milestone.
Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31): The Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola is celebrated annually on July 31st. It commemorates St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. The feast day honors his life, his spiritual work, and his lasting impact on the Catholic Church.
We welcome the celebration of each of these holidays on our campuses and encourage support for those requiring accommodations. You can find information and guidance about academic accommodations for religious observations on the Provost Office’s webpage.
To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events. ODI writes these letters in collaboration with our partners across the UConn system. If we inadvertently omitted a cultural or religious holiday, please let us know by emailing us at diversity@uconn.edu.
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Sincerely,
Jeff and Anne
Jeffrey F. Hines, M.D.
Vice President, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, UConn | UConn Health
Anne D’Alleva, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs