A Diversity Message from Neil Meltzer - October 2020

October is Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, a month to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Italians to our country.

First celebrated in 1989, events are traditionally held to recognize the history and accomplishments of Italians who make up one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States. Italians have shaped and contributed to the country's rich culture in many ways such as in the arts, science, politics and industry.

October is also Polish American Heritage Month, a month-long celebration to recognize the history, culture and contributions of the Polish community to the country. In 1981, it was first celebrated in August but then changed to October in 1986 to allow schools to celebrate the Polish heritage during the school year. October also holds significance as the month when the first Polish settlers arrived in Jamestown, Virginia.

National Coming Out Day takes place on October 11. The annual celebration gives people the opportunity to honor friends and loved ones who have publicly identified themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or queer (LGBTQ). National Coming Out Day began in 1988 to encourage people to share their sexual orientation or gender identity. On this day, many members and supporters of the LGBTQ community will wear symbols to show pride in their sexual orientation or gender identity such as pink triangles and rainbow flags. As a testament to our ongoing support, Sinai and Northwest Hospitals were recently designated as LGBTQ Health Care Equality Top Performers for our dedication and commitment to LGBTQ inclusion. LifeBridge Health's Diversity Council also has a LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group that continues to develop strategies to enhance inclusion. If you would like to join this committee or have questions, please contact Richard Finger, director of human resources, at RFinger@lifebridgehealth.org.

Everyone is encouraged to go purple on October 15 in observance of SPIRIT Day, a day dedicated to standing against bullying in support of LGBTQ youth. Promoted by GLADD, SPIRIT Day is the largest, most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world. At LifeBridge Health, instead of holding in-person events to show your support, we invite everyone to visit glaad.org/spiritday and sign GLADD's anti-bullying pledge.

On October 24, we commemorate the work of the United Nations in promoting peace and cooperation around the world with United Nations Day. In 1947, the United National General Assembly established the day to recognize the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations. Traditionally, celebrations held in the U.N. member states (193 countries) to honor this day included cross-cultural foods and performances to reflect the U.N.'s mission of spreading cultural awareness and understanding.

October 31 is Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve. For some, the date is also observed as Samhain, a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. This year with COVID-19, while many children may not go door-to-door for treats, for many dressing in costumes will be a welcomed treat in and of itself. Other Halloween activities traditionally include carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns and putting up scary decorations. Christian religious observances of All Hallows' Eve include attending church services, lighting candles on the graves of those who have died and abstaining from meat. For Samhain observers, this is also a time to honor those who have passed away.

At LifeBridge Health, we 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.

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