March Holidays & Observances 2024: New Perspectives & Ways DEI Can Help You Learn About Other Cultures
Three women outside enjoying the sun.
March has arrived and with it, we hope, Spring will spring! Throughout time, the new season brings in new beginnings and refreshed energy. It's like nature hitting the reset button, and it's the perfect time for us to do the same with our perspectives. Take a moment to take in the changing scenery and appreciate the diverse world around you. This month, make a pact with yourself to be more open-minded and engaged in learning about others’ way of life. March brings with it many holidays and observances that expand our way of thinking about the world and how we interact with it. See below for a breakdown of just some of the celebrations and special days taking place throughout the month!
March Monthly Observances and Holidays
Monthly Observances:
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Starting with International Wheelchair Day on March 1st, this month serves to recognize and celebrate individuals with Developmental Disabilities, while fostering greater inclusion in the economy, workplace, health and medicine service providers, social activities, transportation services and beyond.
Developmental disabilities are defined by the CDC as, " ... a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime. "
For workplace leaders interested in an interactive learning experience, consider exploring the following Lunch and Learn educational sessions to complement National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in your workplace:
Women’s History Month
Women's History Month is observed in March in the US and is a time to uplift and express gratitude and appreciation for the incredible accomplishments by women throughout history. The month is an important time for communities to highlight the powerful influence women, transgender, and non-binary persons bring to our diverse history and communities and to study and learn from these figures of the past and present.
Don’t forget: March 8th is International Women’s Day and the theme for 2024 is #InspireInclusion, which aims to forge a better world by inspiring others to understand and value women's inclusion.
Are you interested in spreading awareness and education on Women's History Month in your workplace? We've created an OPHR email template specific to Women's History Month so you can easily send in your organization-wide communications!
This Women's History Month, our advisors are hosting Lunch and Learn workshops to help celebrate and learn more about the women and people behind your team and how you can support them in and outside of the office.
Ramadan begins (March 10th)
Ramadan is a globally practiced Muslim observance in all parts of the world. Occurring on the final month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the moon phases, the start and end dates of Ramadan change yearly - this year, the sacred month begins the evening of March 10th and ends the evening of April 9th.
This time of year is a special opportunity to come closer to Allah (The Creator in the Islamic Religion), a time for reflection and spiritual growth, and is also a time for giving back to the community and helping those who are in need. Those practicing the observance often abstain from eating and drinking sunrise to sunset every day during the month.
Weekly Observances:
No More Week
The week of March 3-9 has been set aside to raise awareness and call communities to action to do more to combat domestic and intimate partner abuse and sexual violence and to discuss ways to protect and support survivors.
Millions of people experience domestic abuse by an intimate partner and sexual violence every year. On a global level, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience sexual abuse or assault in their lives. Of those impacted by violence or abuse, the No More campaign shared that up to 65% of individuals reported that they did not receive any assistance following the abuse or instance of violence.
Looking for ways to bring this type of support and awareness to your employees? Consider one of our Lunch & Learn sessions on the topic of Domestic or Partner Violence here.
National Physicians Week
Between March 25th and 31st, we take time to honor the physicians who have dedicated their lives to our health and wellbeing. Deserving our recognition and appreciation more than ever, we celebrate the work of doctors and nurses all over the world and their contributions to our communities.
Special Observances:
Employee Appreciation Day
A cup of coffee and thank you note.
Make March 1st a party in your workplace and get extra loud in celebrating and supporting your employees and teammates for this year's Employee Appreciation Day in the United States! The people who make up our teams, and all of their differences, are who propel a business forward. This day is a great opportunity for employers across the country to recognize employees in all industries with awards, celebrations, or special events. It’s also a great chance for everyone at your company to bond together as one team for a much-needed day of recognition!
Calling all HR and workplace leaders! Be sure to check out our free email template resource for you to adapt and share with your colleagues and work teams this Employee Appreciation Day!
Strapped for ideas on how to celebrate your employees this year? Check out this list for 30 good tips!
World Down Syndrome Day
March 21st signifies an international day of advocacy and awareness around Down Syndrome and the experiences of those living with Down Syndrome.
Down Syndrome is a genetic condition that impacts developmental and physical changes of individuals, and is caused by an additional chromosome.
If you're a workplace leader, consider booking the linked educational sessions featuring Disability Inclusion topics built to complement this observance in your workplace.
International Transgender Day of Visibility
March 31st marks the International Transgender Day of Visibility, an annual event that celebrates and raises awareness of transgender and non-binary people and their rights.
In addition to celebrating these communities, International Transgender Day of Visibility spotlights challenges and barriers faced by transgender and non-binary people, including access to healthcare services, unemployment, homelessness, and violence against the community.
Learn how you can participate in the day and how we can all work towards combating the issues transgender and nonbinary communities face every day by exploring the articles below:
Are you interested in bringing more interactive learning and education on LGBTQIA+ topics? Consider exploring the recommended Lunch and Learn sessions below:
The Rise Journey is Striving to Help Companies Create a Supportive Workplace For All
Imagine a workplace that celebrates Women’s History Month with as much passion as they do for Pride Month? How amazing would it be to offer resources to your workforce on how to work with colleagues with Developmental Disabilities? What if we lived in a world where we took the time to acknowledge, celebrate, and learn about other ways of life beyond our political views or religious background?
Many will claim that it is not appropriate to bring these conversations and topics into the workplace, but imagine being told you can’t discuss your life outside of work with your colleagues because they refuse to expand their minds and allow themselves to learn about and accept others they work so closely with? Gone are the days of showing up to work, keeping your head down all day, and then leaving without much more than a “Have a good weekend!” on your way out the door.
We spend so much of our lives on the clock, whether that be in an office or at home, and we should always have a learner mindset that expands beyond your job description and allows you to grow as a person. At The Rise Journey, we strive to bring these difficult discussions to light and work on destigmatizing many topics that are considered inappropriate to discuss at work. We are a group of individuals that help companies and their employees learn to embrace other colleagues’ cultures, beliefs, and viewpoints without the fear of judgment.
March brings with it a chance to acknowledge trans and non-binary folks throughout history, a chance to celebrate the people who keep your organization running every day, and countless opportunities to increase your understanding of and interaction with the world around you.
