A Diversity Message from Neil Meltzer - August 2021

At LifeBridge Health, we embrace diversity, and these monthly 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 our communities together.

August 1 is Lammas or Lughnasadh, a Gaelic festival celebrating the beginning of the harvest season. The day is celebrated by many Pagans and in some English-speaking countries such as England, Ireland and Scotland in the Northern Hemisphere (in the Southern Hemisphere, it is recognized on February 1). 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, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the Indigenous populations around the world and to protecting their rights. The day was first established in 1994 by the United Nations General Assembly. The date, August 9, was chosen to commemorate the first meeting of the U.N. Working Group on indigenous populations in 1982. Traditionally, the day is celebrated by Indigenous communities around the world with special events such as musical performances and broadcasts on radio and television highlighting the Indigenous people's culture.

On August 14, China celebrates the Qixi festival, also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day. The festival is based on one of the most romantic love stories in Chinese mythology involving 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. The Qixi festival is celebrated in China much like Valentine's Day is here with many having a romantic evening and exchanging gifts, chocolates, flowers and other symbols of their love with special people in their lives.

To honor and respect the selfless work and lives of humanitarians, August 19 is designated as World Humanitarian Day. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009 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 every day to help others in underserved communities.

August 26 is Women's Equality Day, a day that recognizes a turning point in the struggle for women's right-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 recognizing the day and raising awareness about the importance of gender equality and the valuable contributions of women throughout history.

Thank you for the commitment you make every day to CARE BRAVELY and live our LifeBridge Health values.