A Diversity Message From Neil Meltzer - March
National Women's History Month is observed in March. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions of all women throughout American history. In 1981, the National Women's History Project, a nonprofit educational organization, was founded to "promote gender equity through education." They succeeded in lobbying Congress to institute a Women's History Week to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8. By 1986, 14 states had expanded this commemoration to the entire month. A year later, Congress declared March National Women's History Month in perpetuity.
Today is Ash Wednesday, which is an important part of the Lenten season in many Christian faiths including the Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant religions. Lent is a time period of 40 days before Easter Sunday, which falls this year on April 16, for Christians to focus on prayer, penance, and the renewal of their faith. Over the Lenten season, Christians seek penance for their sins and the chance to renew their relationship with God through prayer, fasting and alms- giving. The Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy Services Department has scheduled the Imposition of Ashes for staff and patients at Sinai and Northwest hospitals and Levindale. Click here for more details.
The Jewish holiday Purim, which commemorates the Jewish people being saved from extermination in Persia, falls on March 11-12. The story of Purim comes from the biblical book of Esther. In it, Haman, a high-ranking adviser to King Ahasuerus, sought to kill all Jews in ancient Persia, motivated by an incident in which Mordechai, a Jewish leader, defied the king's orders and refused to bow to Haman. Haman was stopped through the actions of Mordechai and his cousin Esther, a courageous Jewish woman. Esther initially disguised her Jewish identity and eventually became queen. Through their actions, the king became aware of Haman's plot and was persuaded to have him hanged.
The Feast of St. Patrick or in Gaelic, the national language of Ireland, Lá Fhéile Pádraig is celebrated every year on March 17. Honoring the patron saint of Ireland, this day commemorates St. Patrick's return to Ireland from his native England, and his conversion of the Irish people to Christianity. On St. Patrick's Day, Irish people around the world celebrate their heritage and culture with parades and festivals, Irish dances known as céilithe and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Because many Americans celebrate their Irish lineage on St. Patrick's Day, March is also Irish-American Heritage Month.
The International Day of NowrÅ«z, the Iranian and Persian New Year, is March 21. This celebration can last up to two weeks, and marks the beginning of spring and the first day of the Iranian calendar. Historians believe the holiday originated in the Zoroastrian tradition, but has come to include practitioners of a variety of faiths, including Sufis, Ismalis and Bahá'Ãs. The festivities start with a ritual spring cleaning (or Khouneh Tekouni), then participants buy new clothes and fresh flowers before visiting friends, family and neighbors.
At LifeBridge Health we celebrate both what makes us diverse and unique, and what makes us the same - our shared purpose of caring for communities together.
- Written by Neil Meltzer, president and CEO of LifeBridge Health