DIVERSITY MATTERS
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2017
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
INSIDE THIS ISSUE DVAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Diversity Certificate Program. . . . . . . . 2 Hispanic Heritage Month. . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Religious Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 NDEAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Constitution Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the "Day of Unity" held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: • Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence • Celebrating those who have survived • Connecting those who work to end violence These three themes remain a key focus of DVAM events today. In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with National Coalition Against Domestic Violence providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. – Adapted from the 1996 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Manual of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nrcdv.org/ dvam/DVAM-history
OFFICE OF EQUITY AND DIVERSITY TEAM
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS FOR UTHSC:
uthsc.edu/oed/staff
FREE Screening of “Private Violence” and discussion with DV advocate and star of film, Kit Gruelle
Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP Assistant Vice Chancellor
Amber Carter
Publications Editor, Diversity Matters
Dustin Fulton, MS
Sr. Equity Assurance Administrator
Oct. 16 at Malco on the Square, 7:00 pm “Private Violence is a feature-length documentary film and audience engagement campaign that explores a simple, but deeply disturbing fact of American life: the most dangerous place for a woman in America is her own home. Every day in the US, at least four women are murdered by abusive (and often, ex) partners. The knee-jerk response is to ask: “why doesn’t she just leave?” Private Violence shatters the brutality of this logic.” For more information, visit privateviolence.com. Space is limited. This event will be open to UTHSC and community.
Maggie Joyce, JD
Sr. OED Consultant
Bridging Troubled Waters – A Community Conversation
Lauren Rotonda, JD, MBA
Resolving Conflicts. Ending Domestic Violence. Building Healthy Relationships.
Sophia Mosher, MPA
Oct. 28, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm with registration and breakfast 8-9am, and is open to UTHSC and community
Sr. Inclusion Strategist
Administrative Aide
Registration will be available beginning Oct. 1 Featured speaker Mildred Muhammad, ex-wife of the DC sniper and Domestic Violence survivor and advocate
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/ Section 504/ADA/ADEA/V institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.
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DIVERSITY MATTERS DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
The Office of Equity and Diversity is excited to announce the first cohort of the Diversity Certificate Program. The fall 2017 cohort, their supervisors, and campus officials attended a Meet & Greet on September 5, 2017 to kick-off the program’s inaugural session. Applications for the next session will be available in January. For more information, please visit uthsc.edu/oed/diversitycertificate-program.php.
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2017
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FALL 2017 COHORT! Departments and colleges represented in the cohort: Information Technology Services Finance and Operations Communications & Marketing Architecture & Planning Office of Institutional Effectiveness Procurement Services Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) College of Pharmacy College of Dentistry College of Medicine College of Nursing
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RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Sept. 1:
Ecclesiastical Year begins (Eastern Orthodox Christian)
Sept. 1 – 4:
Eid al Adha (Islam)*
Sept. 3:
Onam (Hindu)*
Sept. 9:
The Elevation of the Holy Cross (Eastern Orthodox Christian)
Sept. 21:
Muharram (Islamic New Year), Nativity of the Theotokos (Eastern Orthodox Christian)
Sept. 21 – 22: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish), Sept. 21 – 22: New Year – Hijra (Islam) Sept. 21 – 29: Navaratri/Dassehra (Hindu)* Sept. 30:
Duserra (Hindu)* Yom Kippur (Jewish)
Oct. 5 – 6:
Sukkot (Jewish)
Oct. 11 – 13:
Sh’mini Atzeret (Jewish)
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Oct. 13:
Simchat Torah (Jewish)
Oct. 19:
Diwali (Hindu, Jain and Sikh)*
Oct. 20:
Installation of the Scriptures as Guru Granth (Sikh), Goverdhan Puja (Hindu)*
– Adapted from hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/
Oct. 31:
Samhain-Beltane (Wicca)
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
LEVITT SHELL CONCERT SERIES Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2017 Thursday – Sundays, 7:00– 8:30 pm
GPAC FOOD TRUCK & MUSIC FESTIVAL
FREE series. For more information, visit levittshell.org/fall/.
Featuring Ashley McBride, Ladies of Seeing Red, Soul Remedy, Almost Famous & School of Rock
NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM FREEDOM AWARD
Sunday, Oct. 15 from 12:00 – 6:30 pm The Grove at GPAC
October 19, 2017
For more information, visit gpacweb.com/eventlist/2017/9/24/food-truck-fest.
5:00 pm Red Carpet: South Main St. in front of the Orpheum Theatre
PINK PALACE CRAFTS FAIR
6:00 pm Pre-Show Reception: Halloran Center for Performing Arts
Oct. 13 – 14, 2017, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Oct. 15, 2017, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
7:30 pm Award Ceremony: Orpheum Theatre
Enjoy music, food, educational exhibits, and crafts! Presented by Bank of America. For more information, visit memphismuseums.org/join/friends-of-the-pink-palace/thepink-palace-crafts-fair/.
“The National Civil Rights Museum announced recipients of The Freedom Award, the museum's signature event that honors outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to civil and human rights.” For more information, visit memphistravel. com/national-civil-rights-museum-freedom-award. 3
DIVERSITY MATTERS
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2017
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
CONSTITUTION DAY
Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is observed throughout the country, led by the U.S. Department of Labor. Dating back to 1945, NDEAM began as a week-long public observance. In 1988, Congress expanded the observance period to include the entire month of October. NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities, and promotes public awareness and education regarding the value of a workforce inclusive of diverse skills and talents. As a reflection of the important role different perspectives play in workforce success, the Department of Labor announced that this year’s theme for the observance will be "Inclusion Drives Innovation." As a public institution of higher education and a federal contractor, UTHSC is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. Each year during NDEAM, UTHSC hosts events and activities which are designed to increase awareness of issues related to accessibility, and promote equal access and fair opportunity within our community. Please join us this year for our cornerstone offering, an ice cream social event entitled the “Disabled for a Day Obstacle Course.” This event provides a perceptional lens through which participants are able to view the world in a different way, and is intended to increase disability awareness, foster a deeper comprehension of accessibility issues, and provide an opportunity for the campus and community to celebrate diversity and inclusion. The event will be held on Friday, October 27, and will be open to the public. Participants will be rewarded with an ice cream treat provided by our partner, Blue Bell Creameries. Please stay tuned for additional details. We hope to see you there!
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and “recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens .” This commemoration had its origin in 1940, when Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing and requesting the President to designate the third Sunday in May as “I Am An American Day .” In 1952, the date was moved to September 17 to commemorate “the formation and signing, on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution of the United States .” This law urged civil and educational authorities of states, counties, cities and towns to make plans for the proper observance of the day and “for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside .” In 2004, under Senator Byrd's urging, Congress changed the designation of this day to "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day" and added two new requirements in the commemoration of this Day . The first is that the head of every federal agency provide each employee with educational and training materials concerning the Constitution on September 17th . The second is that each educational institution which receives Federal funds should hold a program for students every September 17th . To celebrate Constitution Day, the Office of Equity and Diversity offered free copies of the Constitution of the United States in the Madison Plaza Lobby on Monday, September 18 . – Adapted from loc.gov/law/help/commemorativeobservations/constitution-day.php
For more information, please contact: Office of Equity and Diversity | 920 Madison Avenue | Suite 825 phone 901.448.2112 | fax 901.448.1120
uthsc.edu/oed 4