PLTC

On behalf of the PLTC DE&I Committee, the following represents a list of notable events for June 2023. While it is not possible to cover every event, our hope is to identify a few that might inform your clinical, supervisory, teaching, and leadership efforts in LTC and other settings where you have influence. We are also attempting to include upcoming training webinars that relate to notable events for the month (see below).  As always you are welcome to check out additional DE&I Resources on the PLTC website.
Training:

SAGEcare LGBTQ+ Staff development/training – These training courses are designed to be suitable for all levels of LTC employees. A 1-hour training course can be delivered in-person, via a live webinar, or through a digital training platform.

To find out more:  LGBTQ+ Training Courses for Your Whole Staff – SAGECare

June 2023 Holidays and Observances:

The month of June is significant for being Pride Month, Caribbean American Heritage Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Black Music Month, and PTSD Awareness Month.

June 11^th: Race Unity Day (Baha’i) – started by the Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly in the United States in 1957, but it was known as Race Amity Day until 1965. Its goal is “to promote racial harmony and understanding.”

June 12^th: Loving Day – an annual national celebration held on June 12, the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia which struck down all anti-miscegenation laws remaining in sixteen U.S. states.

June 18^th: Father’s Day

June 19^th: Juneteenth – Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. 

June 20^th: World Refugee Day – The United Nations General Assembly launched the holiday in 2000, and since then, the worldwide community has spent the day focused on ways to improve the lives of refugees.

June 21^st: Litha, Summer Solstice (Pagan) – “Litha” is the name given to the Wiccan Sabbat celebrated at the Summer Solstice. This is the longest day and shortest night of the year, marking the pinnacle of the Sun’s power to fuel the growing season.

June 26th-July 1st: The Hajj – the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place in the last month of the year, and that all Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime.

June 28^th: Eid al-Adha – the Feast of Sacrifice, is celebrated by Muslims all over the world as a major holiday for a period of three to four days. The majority of Muslims will attend the special prayers held at different major mosques and Islamic centers.

June 28: Pride Day (LGBTQIAA+) – The day marks the date in history when the first pride march was held in New York City in 1970. However, different communities celebrate Pride Day on different days throughout June. 

By: Taylor Doughtie, PLTC Communications Committee Student Member

During the holiday season, we busily prepare for festivities with our loved ones…and mentally prepare for their sometimes intrusive questions about our lives.  

–When are you going to be done with graduate school?  

-How’s the psychology business?  

-When are you ever going to take time off from the office?  

This year, I am expecting a new question on my loved ones’ rosters: 

–What’s it like working with older adult inmates in a prison?  

As I mentally prepare to answer their questions about prison work, please join me with a cup of your favorite holiday beverage and relax as we take a snapshot look at my experiences as a psychologist in training at a correctional facility. 

-What type of client are you seeing?  

The inmates at the correctional center have been convicted of a variety of crimes, from parole violations to sexual offenses or murder. Many of the inmates at the correctional center are older adults, some finishing long sentences from crimes in their younger years, and some convicted of crimes as older adults. There is actually a growing number of older adult inmates in the United States prison system. Between 1999 and 2016, there was a 280 percent increase in the number of inmates 55 years old and older, which equates to 11 percent of the prison population (McKillop & Boucher, 2018). There is a growing need for medical and mental health services for this aging population of inmates. 

-Do the inmates ever share with you why they were incarcerated?  

Sometimes inmates voluntarily want to share their stories, but I generally do not ask them for minute details. If inmates appear distressed about me possibly thinking negatively of them because of the crimes committed, I usually say, “It does not matter to me how you got here. It matters to me how you are doing now and how you live your life going forward.” My job is not to make them feel worse about themselves by dwelling on their past mistakes and labeling them based on one or several instances of poor judgment. My job is to help them manage their mental health concerns, cope with being incarcerated, and prepare for their futures, whether that is probational release or incarceration for the rest of their lives.       

-Why do you want to help older adult inmates?  

When I became a graduate student, I wanted to advocate for clients, to work collaboratively with medical and other adjunctive services for their care, and to help them live their most fulfilled lives. Initially, I thought this might be through a skilled nursing facility or a non-profit. Through some twists and turns along my own graduate school journey, I was given an opportunity to work at a correctional center and found that I am able to do all of the above. It is a professionally rewarding experience to help inmates better themselves and find meaning and purpose in their lives. For those with cognitive decline, it is amazing to witness the significance that a few moments of joy of reminiscing on favorite topics like music can bring, even if it is fleeting. Though at times it can be hard work, it is so rewarding to see the gains these clients have made so far and to realize that the mental health services they are receiving are a small contribution on their journeys to bettering their lives. 

Thank you for joining me as I reflected and prepared for my loved ones’ many questions about my clinical work in a prison setting this year. As you put your holiday cup of cheer on the table, I wish you well as you mentally prepare for your own loved ones’ many intrusive questions. Happy Holidays!    

About the Blogger: 

Taylor Doughtie is a graduate student currently working in a correctional center. She is a Psychologists in Long Term Care (PLTC) member and is currently on the Communications Committee. She is also an English language editor for the Clinical Gerontologist.  

Reference 

McKillop, M. and Boucher, A. (2018). Aging prison populations drive up costs. Pew Trusts.  Retrieved from https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2018/02/20/aging-prison-populations-drive-up-costs

On behalf of the PLTC DE&I Committee, the following represents a list of notable events for December 2022. While it is not possible to cover every event, our hope is to identify a few that might inform your clinical, supervisory, teaching, and leadership efforts in LTC and other settings where you have influence. We are also attempting to include a few upcoming webinars that relate to notable events for the month, and as always you are welcome to check out additional DE&I resources on the PLTC website.  

Holidays and Observances:

The month of December is significant for being Universal Human Rights Month.

December 1: World AIDS Day

December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities 

December 18-26: Hanukkah (Jewish)

December 9: International Genocide Remembrance Day

December 10: International Human Rights Day

December 16-24: Las Posadas

December 21: Yule Winter Solstice (Pagan)

December 25: Christmas (Christian)

December 26 – January 1: Kwanzaa 

Please note that from time to time, communications on behalf of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (DE&I) may include information from other organizations or advocacy groups in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. We believe this information can help spark discussions, further the exchange of ideas and best practices, and ultimately help further PLTC’s purpose, among other goals, to provide advocacy on ethical, regulatory, organization, and public policy issues which impact individuals and professionals in long-term care. It is not intended to support or oppose any partisan political views, beliefs, or ideology.

On behalf of Psychologists in Long Term Care (PLTC), we would like to congratulate our 2022 Award winners.  The Awards Committee was delighted to have received the largest number of nominations in memory.  All nominees were well qualified and have contributed greatly to the field of geropsychology.

The 2022 PLTC Awards are as follows:

The James Georgoulakis, PhD Award for “Outstanding Contributions to Psychology in Long Term Care” is presented to:

Lisa Lind, PhD

This award is presented “for making a significant impact on psychology in long term care via research, clinical training or through other contributions.”

Lisa Lind, PhD, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist who is board certified in Geropsychology. She has provided psychological services in long-term care (LTC) settings for the past 18 years. She currently serves on the Chief Clinical Leadership Team at Deer Oaks Behavioral Health in the role of Chief of Quality Assurance and Compliance, where she helps oversee the provision of quality clinical services being provided in LTC settings in 29 states across the US. She is the current President of Psychologists in Long-Term Care (PLTC) and also serves as the Chair of the PLTC Public Policy Committee. Dr. Lind also serves as the Co-Chair of AMDA’s Behavioral Health Council. She is actively involved in advocacy, training, and mentorship activities related to the provision of mental health services in LTC settings. Her current research interests include the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the emotional and behavioral health of LTC residents.

The Michael Duffy, PhD Award for “Outstanding Contributions to Training and Mentorship of Psychology in Long Term Care” is presented to: 

Deborah Theis, PhD

This award is presented “for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to providing training support and mentorship of psychology in the field of long term care.” 

Deborah Theis, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist with over 23 years of experience working in the long-term care industry. Dr. Theis obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University in 1995. She has extensive experience managing comprehensive psychiatric and psychological services provided to long term care facilities to manage their behavioral health needs. Dr. Theis currently serves as the National Director of Training and Development for Deer Oaks. In that is role she identifies and internal and external training needs as it relates to behavioral health services in post-acute and long-term care. In addition, Dr. Theis serves on the Board of Directors for American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry, is the Programming Chair for Psychologists in Long Term Care and is a Committee Member for Academic and Higher Education for Texas Psychological Association.

The inaugural “PLTC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Award” is presented to: 

Lucas Morgan, PhD

This award is presented “for being a catalyst for change regarding long term care or other older adult populations through diversity, equity, and inclusion endeavors such as research, training, mentorship, publications, community service, clinical practice, advocacy, and/or other activities.”

Lucas Morgan, PhD, is an early career licenced psychologist from and living in Hawai’i, who has focused much of his clinical and teaching work on geropsychology, and the intersections of identity, power and privilege, diversity, social justice, and marginalization in clinical work. He works in private practice, partners with geriatic health teams, and leads trainings for family members caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. He earned his PhD from UMass Boston where he was significantly influenced by his primary mentor Lizabeth Roemer, PhD, as well as Karen Suyemoto, PhD, and whose work continue to shape his growth and development as a psychologist. He loves being in the mountains and the ocean, but is finding little time for that currently given that he has 5 yr old and 7 month old children, a dog, cat, fish, and lots of plants. For all of whom he is very grateful.

PLTC is also proud to announce this year’s PLTC 2022 Student Research Awards:

The Student Paper Award was presented to:

Rachael Spalding, Ph.D. from West Virginia University, for the paper titled: “Development and Initial Validation of the Attitudes Towards Older Adult Sexuality in Long-term Care Scale”.  Rachael’s mentor is Barry Edelstein, Ph.D.

This study developed and tested the psychometric properties of a measure of attitudes toward sexual expression in residential long-term care settings. The study sampled 295 community-living adults and found the resulting scale (i.e., the Attitudes Towards Older Adult Sexuality in Long-term Care Scale) had a two-factor structure: general attitudes toward sexual behaviors and acceptability of various sexual behaviors in long-term care.

The Student Poster Award was presented to: 

Isha Karmacharya, MPH from Miami University, for the poster titled: “Simple solutions to a complex problem: Listening to direct care workers’ perceptions about retention.”  Isha’s mentor is Leah Janssen, Ph.D.

This qualitative study engaged direct care workers (DCWs) across various long-term care settings to identify factors that promote retention. Findings highlight the roles of work culture (e.g., person-centered care, family atmosphere, relationship building, staff empowerment, coaching supervision, participative leadership, effective communication, and flexible working conditions), appreciation (e.g., valuing, respecting, recognizing, and acknowledging the efforts of DCWs), and monetary benefits (e.g., regular wage raises, employee assistance funds, gift cards, bonuses, paid time off, health insurance benefits, and travel reimbursement) for retention.

In keeping with our monthly sharing of notable holidays and dates important to diverse groups we serve, the DEI Committee presents the following details to help inform your clinical, supervisory, teaching, and leadership efforts. October is notable for being a celebration of Filipino-American, Italian-American, Polish-American, and German-American heritage. Some other relevant month-long commemorations include:

• National Disability Employment Awareness Month is designed around a campaign to raise awareness about disability employment issues and recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam

• National Down Syndrome Awareness Month was established to raise public awareness of Down syndrome, celebrate people’s abilities and accomplishments, and advocate for acceptance and inclusion of people with this common disorder.
• National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month aims to encourage schools, communities and organizations to address bullying and cyberbullying, and put an end to hatred and racism by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of all forms of bullying on children of all ages.(*Please note that we are including this on the calendar because bullying actually also take place in LTC settings; and is a topic that may be very relevant to our PLTC members.)
  
• LGBT History Month is an observance of LGBT history and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It is celebrated in October to commemorate the first and second marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987 for LGBT rights.

October 1: International Day of Older Persons aims to raise awareness about issues that older adults face and the need to ensure that people can grow old with dignity.

October 2: International Day of Non-Violence is observed annually on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, the leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

October 5: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the most sacred day of Judaism and is often observed with 25 hours of fasting and prayer. Some observing Jews spend the day in the synagogue. Jewish holidays are generally celebrated from sundown the day before (October 4) ending at sundown (October 5).

October 10-11: Sukkot (Feast of the Tabernacles) celebrates the harvest and the protecting of the Jews on their way to the Promised Land. It is a 7-day holiday but work is not allowed for only the first 2 days.

October 10: World Mental Health Day focuses on global mental health education, advocacy against social stigma, and awareness about the major effects mental health issues have on peoples’ lives worldwide.

October 10: Indigenous People’s Day/ National Native American Day (South Dakota and Wisconsin)‍is celebrated the second Monday every October. It celebrates the culture, heritage, and history of Native American people. It is recognized in several states and is gaining popularity in the rest of the nation as a replacement for the Columbus Day holiday.

October 11: National Coming Out Day celebrates the bravery of individuals to speak up and serves as a reminder that homophobia thrives in silence and ignorance: once people know that they have a loved one who is LGBTQ+, they are far less likely to maintain homophobic or oppressive views and instead become a supporter of equality under the law.

October 15: White Cane Safety Day celebrates the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the importance of the white cane as an important symbol and tool for independence. White Cane Safety Day laid the precedent for equal rights to access roads for the sighted and the blind. The canes are painted white as a visible indicator for sighted people that the user is visually impaired. https://brailleinstitute.org/white-cane-day

October 20: Spirit Day was started as a way to speak out against a rash of widely publicized bullying-related suicides of LGBTQ+ students in 2010. On this day, millions of Americans wear purple as a sign of support to LGBTQ+ youth and solidarity against anti-LGBTQ+ bullying. https://www.glaad.org/spiritday

October 22: International Stuttering Awareness Day is designated since 1998. It raises public awareness about stuttering, which affects nearly 1% of the world’s population. The day reminds us help is available, challenges negative attitudes and discrimination, and celebrates the many notable figures who stutter and have made a positive impact to the world.

October 24: Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhist. The festival usually lasts five days. 

Please note that from time to time, communications on behalf of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) Committee may include information from other organizations or advocacy groups in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. We believe this information can help spark discussions, further the exchange of ideas and best practices, and ultimately help further PLTC’s purpose, among other goals, to provide advocacy on ethical, regulatory, organization, and public policy issues which impact individuals and professionals in long-term care. It is not intended to support or oppose any partisan political views, beliefs, or ideology.

On behalf of the PLTC DE&I Committee, the following represents a list of notable events for September 2022. While it is not possible to cover every event, our hope is to identify a few that might inform your clinical, supervisory, teaching, and leadership efforts in LTC and other settings where you have influence. We are also attempting to include a few upcoming webinars that relate to notable events for the month, and as always you are welcome to check out additional DE&I resources on the PLTC website.  

This Month’s Pertinent DE&I Resources:

“Throw the Manual Out the Window: Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of working with Latinos.” Speaker Daniel E. Jimenez, Ph.D. presents a Webinar on 9/7/2022 @ 1200 CT. Register Here.

“SAFE-Home Opioid Management Education (SAFE-HOME) in Older Adults Naloxone and Opioid Awareness.” Speakers Abigail Elmes, PharmD and Jennie Jarrett, PharmD present a Webinar on 10/5/22 @ 1200 CT. Register Here. 

“Preparing Long-Term Care Staff to Meet the Needs of Aging Persons Living with A Serious Mental Health Disorder.” Speakers Victor Molinari, PhD, ABPP and John Hobday, MA, CEO and Founder of HealthCare Interactive, Inc present a webinar on 9/8/2022 @ 9am-12pm CST. Register Here.

Holidays and Observances:

The month of September is significant for being Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15/22 thru 10/15/22), National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, and National Recovery Month.

September 1 – Samvatsari Parva (Jain) 

September 5 – Labor Day

September 8 – Onam (Hindu)

September 11 – Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks

September 11 – Grandparents Day

September 16 – Mexican Independence Day

September 17 – Rohini Vrat (Jain)

September 17 – Vishwakarma Puja (Hindu)

September 18 – International Equal Pay Day

September 20 – HeForShe (initiated by the UN to promote gender equality)

September 22 – Mabon (Wiccan)

September 23 – Indigenous People’s Day (Native American Day)

September 25-27 – Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)

September 25 – Mahalaya Amavasya (Hindu)

September 26 – Navartri begins (Hindu)

Please note that from time to time, communications on behalf of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (DE&I) may include information from other organizations or advocacy groups in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. We believe this information can help spark discussions, further the exchange of ideas and best practices, and ultimately help further PLTC’s purpose, among other goals, to provide advocacy on ethical, regulatory, organization, and public policy issues which impact individuals and professionals in long-term care. It is not intended to support or oppose any partisan political views, beliefs, or ideology.

On behalf of the PLTC DE&I Committee, the following represents a list of notable events for August 2022. While it is not possible to cover every event, our hope is to identify a few that might inform your clinical, supervisory, teaching, and leadership efforts in LTC and other settings where you have influence. We are also attempting to include pertinent resources in these emails, and as always you are welcome to check out additional DE&I Resources on the PLTC website.

Please see below DE&I related topics at APA 2022.   
A few free pre-recorded resources:

Older Black Americans and Mental Health – E4 Center: Presenters: Martha Crowther, PhD, MPH & Danielle McDuffie, MA. Date: February 2, 2022. “This recorded presentation describes important issues for mental health researchers and service providers to consider when working with older African Americans. It also provides a review of the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of depression, anxiety, and dementia among this population.”

Lessons Learned from the Positive Minds Strong Bodies Trial on Disability Prevention for Racial/Ethnic Minority Elders – E4 Center: Presenter: Margarita Alegria, PhD.  Date: May 13, 2021. Dr. Alegria shares “the design, methodology and findings of her NIH/NIA funded R01 project testing a combined mental health/disability prevention intervention offered to minority elders by Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Exercise Trainers (ET) in community clinics and CBOs. In this recorded presentation, they discuss the multiplicity of factors to be considered when addressing a multicultural population requiring services for later life mental health and substance use problems. We will also share changes made to implement the intervention virtually to respond to the challenges of COVID-19.”

Holidays and Observances

The month of August is significant for being National Civility Month, which was founded to raise awareness to treat others the way we wish to be treated ourselves — with kindness, empathy, and respect.

August 7: Purple Heart Day

August 7-8: Ashura (Muslim)

August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

August 13: Obon (Ullambana) – (Mahayana Buddhism)

August 15: Feast of Assumption (Roman Catholic)

August 18-19: Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)

August 21: National Senior Citizens Day

August 21: Marcus Garvey Day

August 23: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

August 24-31: Paryushana Parva (Jain)

August 26: Women’s Equality Day

August 29: Al-Hijri (Muslim New Year)

August 31: Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)

On behalf of the PLTC DE&I Committee, the following represents a list of notable events for June 2022. While it is not possible to cover every event, our hope is to identify a few that might inform your clinical, supervisory, teaching, and leadership efforts in LTC and other settings where you have influence. We are also attempting to include a few upcoming webinars that relate to notable events for the month, and as always you are welcome to check out additional DE&I Resources on the PLTC website.
Holidays and Observances

The month of June is significant for being Pride Month, Caribbean American Heritage Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Black Music Month, and PTSD Awareness Month.

• ALZPride: Voices of the LGBTQ Community, webinar held on June 2 at 5:00pm central time
  
• Pride 2022 – SAGE (sageusa.org)
• June 2022 Virtual Conference: Regroup, Refocus, Recharge – Family Councils Ontario (fco.ngo) Includes Presentation on June 8^th titled “Intentionally Inviting and Inclusive Long-Term Care Homes for LBGTQ+ Residents and Their Chosen Families.” Presentation on June 13^th titled “The Future of Long-Term Care”. 

June 8: Race Unity Day (Baha’i)

June 12: Loving Day

June 19: Father’s Day

June 19: Juneteenth

June 20: World Refugee Day

June 21: Litha, Summer Solstace (Pagan)

June 21: National Indigenous People’s Day (Canada)

June 21: Summer Solistice

June 28: Pride Day (LGBTQIAA+) (date varies by city and country) 

The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee of PLTC respectfully continues our monthly sharing of notable dates and holidays important to diverse groups whom we work with and among.

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Older Americans Month, Jewish-American Heritage Month, Asian/Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month, Haitian Heritage Month, and ALS Awareness Month.

Psychologists Against Ageism: Promoting Productive Narratives and Inclusivity about Aging:

May 4: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L5Kz1PWER3CiUJhpWNH2lQ

National Council on Aging’s 5^thAnnual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium

May 16: https://www.ncoa.org/article/5th-annual-older-adult-mental-health-awareness-day-symposium

May Holidays and Important dates:

May 1-2- Eid Al Fitr- (Islamic): Starting at sundown, this day marks the end of Ramadan in 2022 based on the lunar calendar. It is observed as a celebratory marking of the end of the fasting period. This is an estimated date as the final time depends on the sighting of the moon. As such, you may have seen on different websites that it’s either May 1 or May 2 this year in North America.

May 5- Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s defeat of the French army. While it’s primarily observed by Mexican Americans, others often join the celebration as well.

May 8- Birthday of the Buddha (Buddhist) celebrates the spiritual leader of the Buddhist Faith

May 8/9- United Nations Time to Remember Lost Lives from WWII

May 8- Mother’s Day (North America)

May 10- Mother’s Day (Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador)

May 16- National Older Adults Mental Health Awareness Day

May 17- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

May 19- Birthday of Malcolm X (Black American/Muslim)

May 19- Lag B’Omer (Jewish): A communal celebratory day among Jewish communities marking the end of a counting and mourning period.

May 21- World Day for Cultural Diversity

May 24- Pansexual & Panromantic Awareness Day

May 25- Africa Day

May 26- Ascension (Christian): A commemorative holiday marking 40 day after Easter, in which it is believed Jesus ascended to heaven

May 29- Agender Pride Day

May 30- Memorial Day: A day of remembrance for those who died in active military service

The mission of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is to promote deeper understanding of, and respect for, the intersections of identity and culture, especially considering age and disabilities, when working with long-term care residents, staff, and colleagues. We strive to build a diverse, inclusive, and empathically minded community that advocates for equity and social justice in long-term care settings.

On behalf of the PLTC DE&I Committee, the following represents a list of notable events for April 2022. While it is not possible to cover every event, our hope is to identify a few that might inform your clinical, supervisory, teaching, and leadership efforts in LTC and other settings where you have influence.

Holidays and Observances

The month of April is significant for being Celebrate Diversity Month, Arab-American Heritage Month, Autism Awareness Month, Tartan (Scottish American) Heritage Month, Occupational Therapy Month, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and National Donate Life Month.

April 2 – Ramadan begins (Muslim): holy month of fasting from dawn to dusk, introspection, and communal prayer (ṣalāt) in the mosque. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Qurʾān. Ramadan, however, is less a period of atonement than it is a time for Muslims to practice self-restraint, in keeping with ṣawm (Arabic: “to refrain”), one of the pillars of Islam.

April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day: United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. This year marks the 15th annual World Autism Awareness Day.

April 7 – International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Rwanda Genocide: established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. The date marks the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government. Within just over 100 days, more than 1 million Tutsi were systematically murdered. Moderate Hutu and others who opposed the massacres were also killed during this period.

April 2 – Hindu New Year:  also known as the Vikram Samvat. The current era of Vikram Samvat is believed to have begun in the year 57 BC. This day also marks the end of one agricultural harvest and the beginning of a new one. Festivities may have different names, the activities may vary, and the day may even be celebrated on a different day in different states in India. As a result, there are a host of new year festivities that are unique to various regions in the vast country.

April 8 – National Day of Silence (LGBTQ2+): a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ2+ students and allies all around the country—and the world—take a vow of silence to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of LGBTQ2+ students. The silence symbolically represents the silencing of LGBTQ2+ students.

April 15-23 – Passover (Jewish): commemorates the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and the “passing over,” or the sparing, of the firstborn of the Israelites. On these seven (or eight) days, all leaven, whether in bread or other mixture, is prohibited, and only unleavened bread, called matzo, may be eaten. The matzo symbolizes both the Hebrews’ suffering while in bondage and the haste with which they left Egypt in the course of the Exodus. The festival of Passover is meant to be one of great rejoicing, strict dietary laws must be observed, and special prohibitions might restrict work.

April 17 – Easter (Christian): Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion.

April 19- Start of Ridván (Baha’i): Riḍván is a twelve-day festival that celebrates the beginnings of the Bahá’í Faith in 1863. It does this by commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration that he was a Manifestation of God. Ridván means paradise, and is named for the Garden of Ridván outside Baghdad, where Bahá’u’lláh stayed for twelve days, and made this declaration.

April 21-23 – Gathering of Nations (Native American): more than 500 Native tribes meet and celebrate various traditions and cultures. These tribes meet to celebrate their traditions and cultures each year in the largest event for North America’s tribes. This year, the event is returning to in-person.

April 27-28 – Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah): Shoah, which means “catastrophe” or “utter destruction” in Hebrew, refers to the atrocities that were committed against the Jewish people during World War II.  Shoah is also known as the Holocaust, from a Greek word meaning “sacrifice by fire.” The Holocaust was the largest manifestation of antisemitism in recent history. Yom HaShoah reminds us of the horrors that Jews and other persecuted groups faced.

April 29 – The Ninth Day of Ridvan (Baha’i): In April of 1863, Baha’u’llah, founder of the Baha’i faith, learned that he had been officially banished from the Ottoman Empire. At the time, both the Persian and the Ottoman governments opposed and feared the rapid spread of Baha’u’llah’s teachings, so they reacted with violence against his followers; at least 20,000 innocent people died as a result. However, the Ottoman government was unable to slow the spread of the Baha’i faith and so they banished the founder and his followers. They ended up near the eastern bank of the Tigris River in the Garden of Ridván. On their Ninth day in the garden, the flooding Tigris receded enough so that Baha’u’llah’s family could cross the river and join him. This reunification of Baha’u’llah’s family inspired the symbolic meaning of the Ninth Day of Ridván.

The PLTC DE&I Committee