A Diversity Message From Neil Meltzer - August 2020

August 1 is Lamas or Lughnasadh, a festival celebrating the beginning of the harvest season.

Recognized by many Pagans and in some English-speaking countries such as England, Ireland and Scotland in the Northern Hemisphere (recognized on February 1 in the Southern Hemisphere), the day celebrates the coming harvest. Observers traditionally bake Lammas bread, make corn dollies, bundle twigs together and enjoy feasts with family.

August 9 is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. First established in 1994, the day is dedicated to raising awareness of the unique cultures and traditions of the world's Indigenous populations and to recognizing their struggles, achievements and contributions. The date August 9 was chosen to remember the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982. Traditionally, communities hold special events to celebrate the day such as musical performances, art displays, guest speakers and poetry. Due to the coronavirus, such gatherings may be curtailed but that should not dissuade communities from recognizing and celebrating the history and culture of the Indigenous populations around the world in a safe, healthy and poignant way.

In November, Americans will be heading to the polls to vote in the general election. Everyone 18 years of age and older will be able to cast their vote. But this was not always the case. August 18 marks a pivotal moment in the suffragist movement when women were given the right to vote with the adoption of the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in 1920. While this right was granted in 1920, 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.

Every president since has issued a formal proclamation to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in society.

We celebrate the selfless work and lives of humanitarians, people who have dedicated and sometime 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 to help others in poverty or illness-stricken areas. On this day, we 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.

While for us Valentine's Day is on February 14, Valentine's Day in China falls on August 25 this year. Referred to as the Qixi Festival, the festival originates from one of the most romantic love stories in Chinese mythology, a forbidden romance between Zhi Nui, 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 the magpies on earth form a bridge allowing the two lovers to meet once per year. Much like Valentine's is celebrated here, in China people exchange gifts, chocolates, flowers and other symbols of their love to special people in their lives.

At LifeBridge Health, we fully embrace diversity, and these monthly diversity messages are meant to recognize and celebrate the richness of our team members' cultures and that of our country. We celebrate both what makes us diverse and unique, and what makes us the same - our shared purpose of caring for communities together.