3.01.23 – March Recognitions

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

March Recognitions

March is National Women’s History Month. It is a month-long celebration of women’s vital role in our history, and the contributions of women each day who impact our lives in significant ways. The National Women’s History Alliance has chosen this year’s theme to be “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

The relationship of women and stories have been crucial to holding onto the history of women and their accomplishments as well as bringing to light hardship and pain. With stories we have learned of the trailblazers who came before us, and we are encouraged by the stories of our generation of women who inspire women to reach for more and pursue your dreams. When we share our struggles, triumphs, and our dreams, we use our voice to lift others, and it moves us forward, and helps us understand we are not alone. We want to continue this path of encouraging and celebrating women past and present through the stories we have learned, the stories we tell, and the stories shared by others and this year is one way out of many that we can celebrate, advocate, and honor women.

March is also Greek American Heritage Month. Also known as Hellenic Heritage Month, we celebrate the contribution to our country of those of Greek decent in America.

Irish American Heritage Month is celebrated in March to honor the contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants living in the United States. The Irish have been present in the United States for hundreds of years, bringing customs, traditions, culture, and music. Today, 40 million Americans claim some Irish ancestry.

March 2- 20 is the Nineteen Day Fast. It is a time of prayer, meditation, and spiritual rejuvenation. It brings a person closer to God and reinvigorate the soul in the Baha’i faith by fasting from sunrise until sunset each day.

March 6 and 7 is Purim, which recognizes the saving of Jews from the plan of Haman to kill all Persian Jews in the 5th century, BCE. This Jewish holiday that is also called the Feast of Lots and is celebrated on the 14th of Adar in late winter/early spring.

March 8 is International Women’s Day, celebrating the various social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and calling attention to the reproductive rights of women, gender equality, and the violence and abuse of women all over the world with a need for ongoing work for more positive change for women.

Hola Mohalla is celebrated from March 8 through 10. It is a Sikh annual 3-day parade and a procession on the last day to Anandpur. It coincides with Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, falling on the second day of the lunar month of Chett, which is the first month of the Nanakshahi calendar used by Sikhs.

March 10 is Harriet Tubman Day. Tubman was an American abolitionist and social activist. She was best known for her role on the Underground Railroad which refers to the network of safe houses she used to help slaves escape. Tubman was also the first woman ever to command a military operation during the American Civil War.

On March 12, we change our clocks one hour ahead and “Spring Forward.” Daylight Saving Time started to save energy because the time change allows us to be up and use more natural daylight.

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. This day commemorates the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is also a day to celebrate the history and culture, through an appreciation of all things Irish.

March 20 marks the Vernal Equinox, or the first day of spring. The sun shines equally on both hemispheres when it is spring in the Northern Hemisphere and, at the same time, fall in the Southern Hemisphere. On this day, our hour of light starts to become longer, and the nighttime becomes shorter.

March 21 is the International Day of Nowruz. It is an Iranian and Zoroastrian festival celebrating the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the day the sun crosses the celestial equator. It is the Iranian New Year and is also celebrated as New Year’s Day in Baha’i tradition, called Naw-Ruz.

March 21 is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD), a proclamation to end racism throughout the world. In South Africa, it is Human Rights Day, acknowledging the day people died to fight for democracy and equal human rights for all in South Africa during apartheid.

Ramadan begins on March 22 for Muslims. It is a month of fasting, prayer, community, reflection, and to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad.

March 23 is International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. We recognize those who suffered and died from the transatlantic slave trade. This day is to remember and honor the 15 million people who suffered and/or died by the brutal effects of the transatlantic slave trade.

March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This day observes veterans who served in the US military during the Vietnam War, which started in 1954 and ended in 1973. About 2.7 million served in the armed forces of South Vietnam, the United States armed forces, and countries allied to them.

March 30, Ram Navami, is the Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Rama, the king of ancient India, hero of the epic Ramayana, and seventh incarnation of Vishnu

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility. On this day, we celebrate the transgender population amongst us, raise awareness about the struggles that they face, and advocate for more protected rights which celebrates and raises awareness for the transgender community.

March 31 is also César Chavez Day, promoting service to our communities by honoring Chavez’s work in social justice as a labor leader, fighting for fair wages and working conditions for farmworkers. He, along with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. It is now called the United Farm Workers Union (UFW). More information on César Chavez and Dolores Huerta may be found here.

We wish you safe travels! Please continue to provide input as how we can help support one another!

In Solidarity,

Chaddrian Calhoun and Rhonda Curtright
APFA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
[email protected]