A Diversity Message From Neil Meltzer - August 2019
As we begin this month, I want to thank you for the commitment you make every day to Care Bravely and live our LifeBridge Health values. Our Respect value is crucial to promoting both Diversity and Inclusion. Recently, there has been an increase in divisive dialogue throughout the country, including most recently about Baltimore, which is home to many of our LifeBridge Health facilities, patients and team members. We can't control what happens outside of LifeBridge Health, but inside of LifeBridge Health we celebrate both what makes us diverse and unique, and what makes us the same-our shared purpose of caring for our communities together. 
August 1 is Lammas or Lughnasadh, a harvest holiday celebrated by many Pagans and in some English-speaking countries in the Northern Hemisphere such as England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. (It is recognized on February 1 in the Southern Hemisphere.) The day recognizes the coming harvest with observers traditionally baking Lammas bread, making corn dollies, bundling twigs together and enjoying large feasts with friends and family.
China's version of Valentine's Day-the Qixi Festival-falls on August 7. The festival originates from one of the most romantic love stories in Chinese mythology. The story involves a forbidden romance between Zhi Nu, the daughter of a goddess, and Niu Lang, a cowherd, who were banished to opposite ends of the Milky Way. According to this legend, all of the magpies on earth form a bridge allowing the two lovers to meet once a year. Much like how Valentine's is celebrated here, in China people exchange gifts, chocolates, flowers and other symbols of their love to special people in their lives.
August 9 is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. The purpose of the day is twofold-to recognize the unique cultures and traditions of the world's indigenous populations; and to commemorate their struggles, achievements and contributions. To celebrate, Indigenous communities around the world will hold special events, musical performances and more. The date August 9 was chosen to remember the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982.
We celebrate the dedicated work and lives of humanitarians and people who have lost their lives helping others with World Humanitarian Day on August 19. It is observed on August 19 to commemorate the tragic loss of 22 aid workers who were killed in the bombing of the U.N. Headquarters in Baghdad in 2003. Humanitarian workers risk their lives for the cause of duty, a duty to help others in poverty or illness-stricken areas. On this day, everyone is encouraged to reflect on the importance of humanitarian efforts around the globe and on how each of us can work together to make the world a better place for all.
August 26 is Women's Equality Day. It marks a significant day in history, a turning point in the struggle for women's rights-the adoption of the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which gave women the right to vote. The day was first celebrated in 1973 following a resolution Congress passed thanks to Congresswoman Bella Abzug of New York who originally introduced the resolution. Since then, every president has issued a formal proclamation to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in society and to recognize the hard work and achievements of women throughout history.