May 2024 Heritage Celebrations

May 1, 2024

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 May: 

Heritage and Awareness Months: 

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This national heritage celebration began in 1978 when Congress established a week to honor the contributions Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders have made to the United States. Congress selected the first ten days of May for this celebration to commemorate two important milestones in U.S. history: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and the completion of the trans-continental railroad (May 10, 1869), which was built primarily by Chinese workers. This celebration was expanded to a full month in 1992. UConn celebrates this heritage month in April, so students, faculty, and staff can participate in events and celebrations. 

Foster Care Awareness Month: May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. Initiated by the Children’s Bureau, National Foster Care Awareness Month honors and recognizes the unique experiences of over 300,000 children and youth in foster care in the United States. This month’s theme, “Engaging Youth, Building Supports, Strengthening Opportunities,” advocates for a strong child welfare system designed to equip and support the young people preparing to leave foster care. The Children’s Bureau offers a variety of resources specific to the young people and children in foster care, which can be found here.  

Haitian Heritage Month: This national heritage month celebrates Haitian culture and traditions. It is an expansion of Haitian Flag Day (May 18th), which commemorates Haiti’s revolution from France and the formation of the world’s first Black republic. Haitian Flag Day is honored both in Haiti and by Haitians living in the diaspora, especially in the U.S., which is home to the largest Haitian diaspora in the world. Haitian Heritage Month was first celebrated in Boston in 1998 and became a national celebration after President George W. Bush honored it in 2005. Events include parades, flag raisings, and exhibits honoring Haitian culture, art, food, and traditions. UConn has two organizations for Haitian and Haitian American students: Aiding in Haitian Education, Advancement, and Development (AHEAD) and the Haitian Student Association. 

Jewish American Heritage Month: This national heritage month recognizes more than 350 years of Jewish contributions to the United States, paying tribute to generations of Jewish Americans who helped form the fabric of American history, culture, and society. Though first recognized in April 2006, this month is commemorated in May to honor the first Jewish migrants to North America, who arrived in New York (then called New Amsterdam) after fleeing persecution in May of 1654. There are several organizations for Jewish students, staff, and faculty at UConn, including Hillel, Chabad, and the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Life (Storrs and Stamford), which sponsors the American Jewish Year Book to provide the most up-to-date information about Jewish life in North America. The Center also has several educational resources and lectures available for free, and sponsors a 1-credit course on Confronting Antisemitism. 

Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental Health Awareness month raises awareness about our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and educates the public about mental health, living with mental health conditions, and strategies for improving mental health and wellness. Of particular concern is suicide prevention. Over the last few years, many people have reported feeling that current events are taking a toll on their mental health, whether from the stress, isolation, and uncertainty in a pandemic, or from social justice issues and political unrest. These have been particularly hard on historically minoritized peoples, who have increasingly been targeted for harassment and violence. Whatever you may be going through, UConn has tools, resources, and programs to support you: Student Health and Wellness (SHaW)’s resources for mental health at Storrs and at the regional campuses; student wellness resources at UConn Health; HR’s mental health resources; resources for suicide prevention; the Student Care Team, which responds to concerns about individual student health and wellness; Holistic Huskies, a podcast on student mental health experiences; and UConn’s Wellness Coalition, a space for students to come together and develop innovative solutions to health and wellness issues on campus. The Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs (VAMP) also has on-campus and off-campus resources specifically for military veterans. 

Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day (May 27): Memorial Day began as a day set aside for families and friends to visit and decorate the graves of loved ones lost during the American Civil War. Congress made Memorial Day an official holiday in 1971, setting aside the last Monday in May to honor all who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States. Congress began recognizing Military Appreciation month in 1999 to honor all service members past and present, as well as those associated with them including children of fallen soldiers, spouses, caregivers, and others who served and sacrificed along with military members. Military Appreciation Month includes Military Spouse Appreciation Day (5/10), Children of Fallen Patriots Day (5/13), Armed Forces Day (5/18), and Memorial Day (5/27), and coincides with Military Caregiver Month. UConn honors members of the military and their families. Because Memorial Day falls after the spring semester has ended, The Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs (VAMP) will not be holding a UConn specific event. The office would like to encourage everyone to attend an event to remember and mourn the U.S. military members who have died while serving our country. A list of some events happening throughout Connecticut can be found here: Memorial Day Weekend 2024 in Connecticut – Dates (rove.me). UConn also recognizes that veterans and service members face unique challenges in higher education. VAMP provides student support services specifically for veterans, active service members, and their families who are attending UConn. Their services include certifying VA educational benefits, assisting students in their transition to life at UConn, and providing supplemental programs and activities to student veterans. VAMP works closely with the Center for Students for Disabilities (CSD), which has a wealth of resources for veterans regardless of ability status. 

Older Americans Month: This heritage month was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to acknowledge the contributions of older persons in the country and raise awareness about this community’s growing needs and concerns. Ageism is a systematic issue in the United States, despite a rapidly aging population. While this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967, which prohibits discrimination against workers over the age of 40 during all stages of employment, there is still a long way to go in ensuring the wellbeing and care of older populations. This year’s Older Americans Month theme is “Aging Unbound,” which offers opportunities to explore diverse aging experiences, as well as to discuss combating stereotypes. This month provides an opportunity to promote flexible thinking about how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included. The University of Connecticut supports senior citizens through free educational initiatives, including Senior Citizen Audits for learners over 62, UConn Extension’s Center for Learning in Retirement (CLIR) for retirees and other adults from all walks of life, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) where learners over 50 can expand their minds and connect with other learners. 

Cultural and Federal Holidays: 

Cinco de Mayo (May 5): Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration of the Mexican military’s defeat of the Second French Empire in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This holiday is not widely celebrated in Mexico; rather, it is often treated as a drinking holiday in the United States, often erroneously celebrating Mexican Independence Day, which is on September 16th. Unfortunately, treating Cinco de Mayo as a drinking holiday often results in rampant cultural appropriation and negative stereotypes about Mexicans and Mexican Americans. A good way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo is to read the real story about the holiday and to support Mexican-owned businesses in your community. 

Mother’s Day (May 12): In the United States, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. While other countries have similar days of commemoration, dates and traditions vary. The American version of Mother’s Day was created in 1905 to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their children. Though originally a day of celebration for individuals and families, it was heavily commercialized after President Woodrow Wilson declared it a federal holiday in 1914. The Women’s Center offers an ongoing group for mothers at UConn, Moms4Moms. Open to mothers employed or enrolled at UConn, this group works to enlighten, empower, engage, and educate moms. It also provides opportunities to network and build community, as well as an inclusive space to talk about the joys and hardships of motherhood. For all the mothers and the mothers-at-heart, thank you for your care and kindness. For those who have lost a child, lost a mother, or are yearning to be a mother, we see you and honor you. 

National Nurses Week (May 6 – 12), International Nurses Day (May 12): International Nurses Day is celebrated globally every May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. In the United States, the week leading up to International Nurses Day is National Nurses Week, which celebrates the profession and provides opportunities to promote understanding and appreciation of the invaluable contributions nurses make to our society. This year’s theme is “Nurses Make the Difference,” which honors the many invaluable ways that nurses make a difference in their patients’ experiences of care, dignity, and wellbeing, including as healthcare providers and advocates.  We especially appreciate the nurses who work to meet the healthcare needs of the UConn campus communities, including the Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses at Student Health and Wellness and UConn Health, whose invaluable contributions make it possible to provide outstanding student-centered healthcare, and who work on the frontlines of advocating for student health and wellness and supporting students’ efforts to develop health and wellness knowledge. Thank you for all you do! 

Religious Holidays: 

Buddha Day (May 15): Buddha Day, also known as Buddha Jayanti, celebrates the birth of the founder of Buddhism, Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Gautama Buddha. Buddha Day is a lunar holiday and usually falls during the first full moon of May. Buddha’s birth is celebrated as part of the Vesak festival, which honors the three major events in his life: his birth, his enlightenment, and his death. Buddhists celebrate Vesak by decorating temples with flowers, singing hymns, and laying down offerings, and “bathing of the Buddha,” a ritual in which water is poured over small statues of the Buddha to cleanse bad karma and to reenact the events following his birth, when devas and spirits showered him with sacred waters from the sky. Buddhists are encouraged to do small acts of kindness, to refrain from any kind of killing, and to eat vegetarian food. 

Orthodox Easter or Pascha (May 5): The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ by Orthodox Christians, especially in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lebanon, the Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, and Russia. 

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. 

If you would like to receive our ODI Weekly Digest, where you can receive regular updates about upcoming events, programs, and opportunities, subscribe here! 

Sincerely, 

Frank, Anne, and Jeff 

Frank Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer 

Anne D’Alleva
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Jeffrey F. Hines, MD
Associate Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, UConn Health 

 

April 2024 Heritage Celebrations

April 1, 2024

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 April:

Heritage Month Celebrations:

Arab American Heritage Month: During the month of April, cultural institutions, schools, legislatures, and organizations across the country formally recognize the achievements of Arab Americans. Over 3.7 million Americans have roots tracing to 22 Arab countries across the Middle East and North Africa, representing diverse faiths, races, and languages. Efforts to honor their rich and diverse cultural heritages, as well as the many contributions they have made to American society, have been underway since 2017, when the Arab America Foundation launched Arab American Heritage Month. 45 U.S. states have issued proclamations commemorating Arab American Heritage Month, as has President Biden, who in 2021 became the first U.S. president to publicly acknowledge the celebration of Arab American Heritage.

Asian American Heritage Month: Every April, UConn commemorates Asian American Heritage Month – which is observed nationally in May – to honor the contributions Asian, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders have made to our country, our state, and our university. We believe that it is especially important to celebrate Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) members of the UConn community following the increase in identity-based harassment and violence these communities faced following the COVID-19 Pandemic. This increase in racially-based violence and harassment has a negative impact on the living, learning, and working conditions for AAPI members of our community – and, in turn, for all members of our community. Don’t forget to follow AsACC on Instagram for upcoming events commemorating this important month!

Autism Acceptance Month: UConn recognizes Autism Acceptance Month – formerly Autism Awareness Month – each April. Autistic* people make up a large segment of the population: 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism and there are currently over 7 million Americans from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic standings on the autism spectrum. Autism Acceptance Month is aimed at raising awareness about the experiences and needs of autistic people, as well as ensuring that autistic people can achieve a high quality of life. The name has been changed from “awareness” to “acceptance” to shift away from stigmatizing language and build welcoming environments where the community’s critical needs for inclusion, connections, and support are met.

* Language preferences vary among individuals on the autism spectrum. You may wish to ask about language preferences and use the language that each individual prefers. Identity-first language is used here to affirm the understanding of autism as an integral part of identity. This language is used and encouraged by many in the autistic community. Read more about identity-first language here.

UConn seeks to ensure that autistic people and those with other forms of neurodivergence have the same access to programs, opportunities, and activities as all others. The University does this, in part, through the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD), which is part of the nationwide Developmental Disabilities Network. UConn also supports neurodiversity through Neurodiversity at UConn, Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Research Experience for Neurodiverse Students, and the Center for Neurodiversity and Employee Innovation.

In addition, UConn supports access through the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), which offers a variety of programs and services for students with disabilities at all campuses, including at UConn Health. CSD utilizes MyAccess, which allows students to request accommodations and facilitates faculty and staff efforts to meet those accommodations more easily. Students can get involved in Diversability, a group dedicated to creating spaces to discuss ability, disability, access, and inclusion. Faculty and staff can request OIE’s training to increase awareness and understanding of disability access and responsibilities at UConn. UConn seeks to ensure that staff and faculty with disabilities are afforded reasonable accommodations through OIE, the Human Resources department, and UConn Health’s Human Resources. UConn also offers a Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health.

National Alcohol Awareness Month: In 1987, the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) established April as National Alcohol Awareness Month. The purpose of this month is to raise awareness about one of the nation’s largest health issues; to reduce the social stigma associated with alcoholism; to educate people about the causes and available treatments; and to offer advice for those struggling with alcohol abuse or dependency. At UConn, we endeavor to ensure that substance use is not a barrier to academic, personal, or professional success. Please visit Student Health and Wellness’s (SHaW) Alcohol and Substance Use Support, UConn Recovery Support Services, and UConn’s Recovery Community Center for resources, trainings, and opportunities for support on your journey or to learn how you can support others on theirs. This April, we would like to remind you that no one is alone in their journey through recovery; while every journey is different, we are all in this together.

National Deaf History Month: In 1997, the National Association of the Deaf introduced National Deaf History Month, which is meant to celebrate the accomplishments of Deaf* and Hard-of-Hearing people, as well as to raise awareness and appreciation of Deaf culture, history, and American Sign Language. Originally celebrated in March to coincide with the opening of the first public school for the Deaf, the commemoration is now held in April in order to better include the experiences of BIPOC Deaf people.

* Language preferences vary among for members of the Deaf community, and as such, it’s important to ask about language preferences and use the language that each individual prefers. Identity-first language is used here in order to reflect the ways that many consider being deaf or hard of hearing as an integral part of identity and community. To learn more, you may wish to consult this article from the National Association of the Deaf, as well as this style guide from the National Center on Journalism and Disability.

UConn supports access through the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), which offers a variety of programs and services for students with disabilities at all campuses, including at UConn Health. CSD utilizes MyAccess, which allows students to request accommodations and facilitates faculty and staff efforts to meet those accommodations more easily. Students can get involved in Diversability, a group dedicated to creating spaces to discuss ability, disability, access, and inclusion. Faculty and staff can request OIE’s training to increase awareness and understanding of disability access and responsibilities at UConn. UConn seeks to ensure that staff and faculty with disabilities are afforded reasonable accommodations through OIE, the Human Resources department, and UConn Health’s Human Resources. UConn also offers a Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health.

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month: Every April, UConn renews its commitment to eliminating sexual violence on our campuses, in our state, and across the country. Sexual assault, harassment, violence, and abuse can happen anywhere: in the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 women experience rape or attempted rape. Sexual violence disproportionately impacts women of color, Native and Indigenous women, immigrant women, LGBTQIA+ women, and disabled women. Moreover, people under the age of 30, especially college-aged individuals, face the highest rates of sexual assault, including 21% of transgender or non-binary students, 18% of female students, and 4% of male students. Ending sexual violence requires care and commitment from all of us.

The Women’s Center is committed to raising awareness about sexual violence and prevention and supporting survivors of sexual violence year-round. The Women’s Center is here for you. UConn offers education, outreach, and advocacy about sexual violence through the Women’s Center’s Violence Against Women Prevention Program.

ODI supports University efforts to hold accountable the individuals who commit sexual assault, violence, and harassment. We encourage you to report incidents of assault, violence, and harassment, especially through inform.uconn.edu and the Office of Institutional Equity. The Dean of Students Office can assist with supportive measures for students, including academic and other concerns and modifications to your class schedule. Please know that you do not have to make a formal complaint or participate in any investigative process in order to receive assistance and support. UConn employees are obligated to advise the Office of Institutional Equity if they receive a report of sexual assault; cultural center full-time employees are exempt from this, which means that we can support you without reporting your information (unless you request it or an incident involves a minor).

You can find more resources through the Title IX Office and Responding to Student Disclosures of Sexual Violence. You may also find information on the President’s Task Force on Combating Sexual Violence on the President’s website.

Cultural and Federal Holidays:

Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd): World Autism Awareness Day highlights the need to improve the quality of life for autistic* people. This year’s observance, “Moving From Surviving to Thriving: Autistic Individuals Share Regional Perspectives” highlights the perspectives of autistic people from all around the world. Autism usually manifests during early childhood and presents on a spectrum of behaviors and abilities. The autism spectrum refers to a range of neurological variations that may present as challenges related to social interactions, communication, and sensory processing. Recent research has also found autism to be associated with strengths such as pattern identification, systems thinking, and attention to detail. UConn celebrates the members of our communities who present on the autism spectrum; we recognize the power of neurodiversity. To learn more about autism, as well as UConn’s support systems and communities for neurodivergent individuals, please visit Neurodiversity at UConn.

* Language preferences vary among individuals on the autism spectrum. You may wish to ask about language preferences and use the language that each individual prefers. Identity-first language is used here to affirm the understanding of autism as an integral part of identity. This language is used and encouraged by many in the autistic community. Read more about identity-first language here.

Earth Day (April 22): April 22nd marks the anniversary of the 1970 founding of the modern environmental movement. Discussions about the environment began with the 1962 publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Springs, which raised awareness about the impacts of pollution. Following the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, Senators Gaylord Nelson and Pete McCloskey, along with activist Denis Hayes, organized the first-ever Earth Day, which led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and several environmental protection laws. This year’s Earth Day theme is Invest in Our Planet, which aims to persuade citizens, governments, and businesses of the need to invest in our planet, improve our environment, and give our descendants a better future. UConn celebrates Earth Day through Spring Fling, an annual celebration of sustainability co-sponsored by the Office of Sustainability and Department of Dining Services.

Religious Holidays:

Lent (February 14 – March 28 in Western Churches, March 18 – May 5 in Eastern and Orthodox Churches): In Christianity, Lent is a liturgical season prior to Easter. Lent is celebrated by members of Catholic, Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Generally, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation for celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. For many, Lenten observances include fasting from animal products and prayer.

Ramadan (March 10 – April 9): A holy month for Muslims that is used for spiritual reflection and growth, for helping those in need, and spending time with loved ones. Ramadan is a moveable holiday, beginning and ending with the crescent moon during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims around the world typically observe a fast during daylight hours.

UConn Dining at Storrs will have specially prepared meals and will set up a station for students to collect those meals after sundown. Both South and Towers Dining Halls will be open late for Iftar. Members of the UConn Health community can participate in Friday prayers at Interfaith Murray-Heilig Chapel, located on the M-level in University Tower at John Dempsey Hospital. 

Eid al-Fitr (April 9 – April 10): Eid al-Fitr is one of two major feasts Muslims celebrate each year. Translated as “the festival of breaking the fast,” it marks the end of Ramadan. After a month of fasting during Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is seen as a spiritual celebration of Allah’s provision of strength and endurance. Traditions vary from place to place, but might include special morning prayers, exchanging gifts, and giving to those in need.

Vaisakhi (April 13): This holiday marks the start of the Punjabi New Year and also celebrates the year (1699) when Sikhism was established as a formal order by Guru Gobind Singh. The day is observed by temple worship, feasting and dancing.

Passover (April 22 – April 30): Passover, also known as Pesach, celebrates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. It commemorates the struggle for freedom from bondage. Members of the Jewish community all over the world observe Passover by hosting seder meals.

UConn Hillel will be hosting a Seder on Monday, April 22nd that is free to the entire community.  Please RSVP via info@uconnhillle.org. NOSH Kosher Kitchen in Gelfenbien Dining Commons will be serving Passover meals from Monday, April 22nd – Tuesday, April 30th by reservation only.  Students can reserve meals at Passover Meals | Dining Services (uconn.edu).

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.

If you would like to receive our ODI Weekly Digest, where you can receive regular updates about upcoming events, programs, and opportunities, subscribe here!

 

Sincerely,

Frank, Anne, and Jeff

Frank Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Anne D’Alleva
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Jeffrey F. Hines, MD
Associate Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, UConn Health

March 2024 Heritage Celebrations

March 1, 2024

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 March:

Heritage Month Celebrations:

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: The United States has observed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month every March since 1987. Led by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), this month raises awareness about people who have disabilities that cause an impairment in language, learning, physical body, or behavior. Specifically, this campaign seeks to raise awareness about the difficulties people with disabilities face and the importance of including people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life. This year’s theme is “A World of Opportunities,” where the NACDD invites all to “celebrat[e] people and [work] together to remove obstacles…Our goal is to build a community that’s committed to creating a world where everyone can do well and succeed. Join us in making a world where all kinds of people have the chance to thrive.”

UConn seeks to ensure that people with disabilities have the same access to programs, opportunities, and activities as all others. The University does this, in part, through the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD), which is part of the nationwide Developmental Disabilities Network. UConn also supports neurodiversity through Neurodiversity at UConn and the Center for Neurodiversity and Employee Innovation.

In addition, UConn supports access through the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), which offers a variety of programs and services for students with disabilities, including at UConn Health. CSD utilizes MyAccess, which allows students to more easily request accommodations and facilitates faculty and staff efforts to meet those accommodations. Faculty and staff can request OIE’s training to increase awareness and understanding of disability access and responsibilities at UConn. UConn seeks to ensure that staff and faculty with disabilities are afforded reasonable accommodations through OIE, the Human Resources department, and UConn Health’s Human Resources. UConn also offers a Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health.

Greek American Heritage Month: Also known as Hellenic Heritage Month, Greek American Heritage Month takes place in March to coincide with Greek Independence Day on March 25th. This day celebrates the contributions of Greeks and Greek Americans, and honors Greek language and culture.

Irish American Heritage Month: Irish American Heritage Month honors the achievements of Irish immigrants and their descendants in the United States. First celebrated in 1991, it is accompanied by a proclamation from the President of the United States. Irish American Heritage Month is held in March to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day.

Women’s History Month: Thanks to the efforts of the National Women’s History Alliance, March is recognized as Women’s History Month (commemorated at UConn as Women’s Herstory Month). First Celebrated as Women’s History week in 1981, Congress expanded the celebration in 1987 to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and to recognize specific achievements women have made throughout American history. The theme for 2024’s Women’s History Month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” This theme honors women who have worked to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion across the country, across time, and around the world. As the Alliance writes, “The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.” At UConn, we celebrate women’s history every month of the year, especially through the Women’s Center and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Program.

Please join the Women’s Center for their kick-off Women’s Herstory event, “Revolutionary Love: The Call of Our Times,” on March 6 at 6 p.m. at the Student Union Theatre, featuring activist, writer, and filmmaker Valarie Kaur, co-sponsored by the Women’s Center and the Asian American Cultural Center.

Cultural and Federal Holidays:

International Women’s Day (March 8): International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrating Women’s rights. It celebrates women’s achievements, recognizes the challenges women face, and brings attention to ongoing issues related to gender equity, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse faced by women. The theme for 2024’s International Women’s Day is #InvestinWomen, which recognizes that (as UN Women puts it) “ensuring women’s and girls’ rights across all aspects of life is the only way to secure prosperous and just economies, and a healthy planet for future generations.” To learn more about this year’s theme, read more here.

St. Patrick’s Day (March 17): This cultural and religious holiday is held annually on the traditional death date of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Ireland for a thousand years but has been celebrated by American parades since 1737. The largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade is held in New York each year.

Nowruz | Iranian New Year | Persian New Year (March 19 – March 20) Nowruz celebrates the beginning of the new year on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar. It begins on the spring equinox (usually on or around March 20th), which marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Nowruz has been a day of great celebration throughout Iranian history; it is mankind’s oldest known holiday and is still celebrated by more than 300 million people around the world. It celebrates the triumph of hope over despair and promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families.

Religious Holidays:

Lent (February 14 – March 28 in Western Churches, March 18 – May 4) in Eastern Orthodox Churches): In Christianity, Lent is a liturgical season prior to Easter. Lent is celebrated by members of Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Generally, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

Ramadan (March 10 – April 9): A holy month for Muslims that is used for spiritual reflection and growth, for helping those in need, and spending time with loved ones. Ramadan is a moveable holiday, beginning and ending with the crescent moon during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims around the world typically observe a fast during daylight hours. UConn Dining at Storrs will have specially prepared meals and will set up a station for students to collect those meals after sundown. Both South and Towers Dining Halls will be open late for Iftar. Check out these UConn student-made videos (Storrs| Hartford) about to best support Muslim students during Ramadan.

Purim (March 23 – March 24): Purim is a joyous and merry holiday that celebrates the strength, resilience, and survival of the Jewish people. Specifically, it commemorates the deliverance of Jews in ancient Persia from a planned act of genocide ordered by the Persian king’s Prime Minister, a plot that was foiled by Queen Esther. The major theme of this holiday is overcoming baseless hatred against the Jewish people. Traditional celebrations include reading Megillat Esther (the Book of Esther); sending gifts of food to family; giving tzedakah (charity); enjoying a festive meal; and wearing costumes.

Holi (March 25): Holi is a Hindu festival celebrating the end of winter and the triumph of love over evil. Originating in India and Nepal, Holi is celebrated globally. Also known as the “Festival of Colors,” the “Festival of Love” and the “Festival of New Beginnings,” Holi is seen as a new beginning. It is typically celebrated with two days of festivals. The first consists of a bonfire to symbolically burn away all the bad and the second consists of throwing powder dye into the air, covering all in attendance with vibrant colors.

Easter (March 31): Easter is a holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is preceded by a holy week between Palm Sunday (March 24) and Easter Sunday, which includes Good Friday. Festivities typically include a special church service, music, flowers, and ringing of church bells. Protestant and Catholic churches will commemorate Easter on March 31 this year; in Eastern and Orthodox churches, Easter is commemorated on May 5.

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.

If you would like to receive our ODI Weekly Digest, where you can receive regular updates about upcoming events, programs, and opportunities, subscribe here!

 

Sincerely,

Frank, Anne, and Jeff

Frank Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Anne D’Alleva
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Jeffrey F. Hines, MD
Associate Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, UConn Health