June is an
eventful month for the Office of J.E.D.I. (Justice, Equity, Diversity and
Inclusion) as well as team members and patients all across the LifeBridge
Health system. Major observances such as Pride and Juneteenth are occasions
both for celebration and education, and it is our hope that this message, like
all our monthly messages, will inspire you to learn about, support and share in
the joy of the many cultures and communities that make our network so special.
Pride
Month
June is Pride Month, dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride Month finds its
origins in the Stonewall Riots of 1969, during which members of the LGBTQIA+
community rose up in protest
against police raids at the Stonewall Inn, a New York City gay bar. Pride
Month is a time for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate themselves
and each other, relishing the joy and fulfillment that comes with living in
truth. Pride is celebrated with vibrant parades throughout cities across the
United States and the world. Despite its celebratory spirit, Pride Month also
serves as an opportunity to reflect on the oppression still faced by LGBTQIA+
individuals — 543 bills have
been proposed across the nation targeting transgender people in 2023 alone.
This Pride Month, we wish a safe and joyous Pride Month to all celebrating and
re-affirm our commitment to improving health equity for the LGBTQIA+ community.
In honor of Pride month, cultural competency trainings are being offered on June 8, 12, 20 and 22 to help team members learn to better support the LGBTQIA+ community. Sign up here!
· LifeBridge
Health will once again participate in Baltimore Pride, this year on June 24,
and Westminster Pride on July 8. All LGBTQIA+ and allied team members are invited
to participate. If interested, please email jedi_office@lifebridgehealth.org.
Caribbean
American Heritage Month
Caribbean American Heritage Month honors the rich history of Caribbean people
in the United States. Caribbean Americans are immigrants or the ancestors of
immigrants from Caribbean nations such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica
and Haiti. The influence of Caribbean people on American life is incalculably
vast, due in part to the cultural contributions of seminal figures such as
W.E.B. DuBois, Sidney Poitier, Shirley Chisholm and Kwame Ture, and many
others. We offer in gratitude and celebration our warmest regards to all Caribbean
American patients and team members at LifeBridge Health.
American
Indian Citizenship Day
On June 2, 1924, the Indigenous people of the United States were granted full
U.S. citizenship with the passing of the Indian Citizenship Act. Indigenous
people were not given the right to vote, however, until 1958 and remain subject
to a host of social and political inequities here on their own ancestral land. June
2 serves as an opportunity to honor the proud history and culture of native
people while acknowledging the injustices to which they have been subjected.
Juneteenth
Observed on June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African people in the United
States. On June 19, 1865, 250,000 slaves in Galveston, Texas were informed of
their freedom, over two years after the signing of the Emancipation
Proclamation. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, amidst a fever pitch
of public consciousness surrounding racism against African American people. Juneteenth
is an occasion for both celebrating freedom and reflecting on the racial
inequities and discrimination still perpetrated against Black people in the
United States. Juneteenth festivities include gatherings with family and
friends, parades, musical performances and more. We wish all African American
team members and employees a happy and fulfilling Juneteenth and encourage all allies
to use the holiday as an opportunity for learning.
Helen
Keller Day
Helen
Keller Day, observed on June 27, commemorates the life and achievements of its
namesake. Born in 1880, Keller lost both her hearing and sight due to illness
as a child. Keller would eventually learn how to both read and write, becoming
in adulthood a prolific author and disability rights activist. She was the
first deafblind person in American history to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.
In addition to celebrating Keller’s legacy, Helen Keller Day draws attention to
advocacy efforts for blind and deaf people.
Conversations
About Racism and Discrimination (CARD)
Please
join the Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) &
JEDI Council for Conversations about Racism and Discrimination, a new
series to promote awareness and aid discussion of various JEDI topics. The
topic for the next virtual session will be “Housing and Healthy Living – What's Law Got To Do With It?” Panelists will include law
professor and litigator Yvette Pappoe Dream BIG Foundation partner Stephanie Amponsah. Click here on Tuesday June 27, 2023 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. to join the session.
CALL
TO ACTION:
REFLECT: Consider the difficult journey
enslaved African people endured to gain their independence this Juneteenth and
also consider the challenges African Americans face today.
RECOGNIZE: Check-in
with your LGBTQIA+ colleagues, family and friends and show your support.
RESPOND: Consider
volunteering and supporting Juneteenth and Pride celebrations.
J.E.D.I.
Champion Nominations
The Justice, Equity,
Diversity & Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Champion award is given to individuals at
LBH who embrace differences between team members, promote justice, equity,
diversity and inclusion and go above and beyond to create a culture of belonging
at LifeBridge Health. J.E.D.I. Champions are team members who:
- Participate in J.E.D.I. education.
- Develop/engage in opportunities for
J.E.D.I. engagement across the institution.
- Promote a sense of belonging for all team
members.
- Demonstrate commitment to SPIRIT values.
- Support institutional efforts to be just,
equitable, diverse and inclusive.
To nominate a team
member for the J.E.D.I. Champion Award please send an email to JEDI_Office@lifebridgehealth.org with the following information:
- Your name and email address
- Name, email address and title of the person you would like to nominate
- A short paragraph outlining how the nominee fits the criteria listed