May Holidays & Observances 2024: Spring Into Renewed Awareness
Psychotherapist and writer Nathaniel Branden once emphasized, "The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance." May brings various holidays and observances centered on awareness, spanning different religions, disabilities, cultures, and more. It's crucial for us all to embrace this vital, albeit challenging, step toward acceptance.
When you invest time in understanding and interacting with people around you, whether in your community or workplace, everyone gains. Exploring the diverse traditions and values of those beyond your own worldview can be immensely enriching. It opens your mind and offers new perspectives, fostering growth and mutual understanding.
During May, push yourself to initiate conversations with individuals who perceive the world differently from you. Reflect on how you navigate through life and recognize any biases or privileges you may have. By raising awareness within our community, particularly for marginalized or unsupported groups worldwide, we embark on the path toward acceptance and contribute to a more inclusive world for everyone.
Explore the list below for a glimpse of the holidays and observances occurring this May.
List of May Observances
May Monthly Observances:
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Observed every May in the United States, this month aims to celebrate and highlight the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, as well as raise awareness and action for challenges these groups and individuals face in the US.
The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) announced this year's theme as “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation.” Take time to learn about the histories, experiences, and heritages of these diverse groups and understand how we can become more educated around these communities and create a society that is more inclusive and equal.
Looking for ways to spread awareness and celebrate the observance with your workplace? We've got you covered! Here's a free email template resource for you to adapt and share with your colleagues and work teams this Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Consider booking the following as an educational session(s) built to complement this observance in your workplace:
Jewish American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month recognizes the Jewish American communities who have greatly contributed to the development of this country. This month celebrates over 350 years of Jewish American history and heritage. Learning more about Jewish American Heritage can help raise awareness and push for action to combat anti-semitism in our society.
In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, learn about the generations of Jewish Americans who have helped form the fabric of American history, culture, and society. Delve into the history, contributions, and community, and take the opportunity to educate yourself and your team on the diversity of this unique heritage.
Consider sharing these resources with your team for a deeper appreciation and observance of Jewish American heritage in your workplace:
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Jewish American Heritage Month
Looking for a way to open up a conversation around tackling Anti-Semitism? We have a Lunch & Learn on that topic led by Sara Aharon, which can be booked here.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Each year, the U.S. recognizes May as National Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness of mental and emotional health topics and the need for education, resources, and acceptance. In the U.S., it was researched that 1 in 5 Americans live with a mental illness, but many go untreated because of the stigma attached to these illnesses, making it difficult for individuals to take care of their mental health needs.
Learning and navigating mental and emotional well-being is often a vulnerable and uncomfortable topic for those new to the conversation. However, navigating our mental health is a lifelong journey. Let this month inspire you to take the next steps to further understand and be more prepared to support your mental health needs.
To learn more about mental health in the workplace, consider browsing the following resources:
Take a Real Mental Health Day (that helps your mental health)
My Self-Acceptance Journey - How workplace belonging served as a vital piece
To learn about the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), visit their site and follow their mission of raising awareness about the reality of living with a mental illness and advocating for accessible mental health resources for all.
For more on how you can participate in the holiday with your team and workplace, we provide workshops to help you celebrate and learn more about the people behind your team and how you can support them in and outside of the workplace. Consider booking mental health-focused educational sessions to complement this observance in your workplace.
Weekly Observances:
Deaf Awareness Week
Originally founded in the United Kingdom, this week promotes inclusion and calls attention to issues faced by those with hearing loss and deafness. Though reported data about deaf people around the world is not current, the last estimate for the United States alone put the number at roughly 11 million.
This week also empowers those who live with hearing loss or deafness, uplifting historical figures and achievements led by deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, and sharing positivity and acceptance for those living with Deafness.
Find more information on Deaf Awareness Week and learn about how sign language and other language tools are on the rise in the resources below:
Our team works with a panel of professional speakers and advisors to help conversationally bring awareness to important topics, such as a disability in the workplace and the importance of accessibility to your team and workplace.
Consider exploring the following educational sessions highlighting Disability topics to encourage learning during Deaf Awareness Week in your workplace.
Stuttering Awareness Week
May 9th through May 15th marks Stuttering Awareness Week (which always takes place during the second week in May). This week is an opportunity for people of all abilities to learn more about this speech disorder and celebrate the historical and current figures who experience it. The week also highlights and shares resources for people who may be affected, to learn more about stuttering by connecting with supportive communities in a space of acceptance.
For more information on how to participate in Stuttering Awareness Week, please read the following articles:
National Women’s Health Week
National Women's Health Week is observed in the United States between May 12th and 18th, to promote the importance of equal health services for women. It also brings awareness to current and pre-existing issues faced by women in health spaces and research and encourages new wellness and healthy lifestyle practices.
Read through and consider sharing the resources below with others to raise awareness for women's health topics today:
Celebrate National Women's Health Week in an educational way with your team and consider exploring the following sessions to bring learning to your workplace:
Special Observances:
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
GAAD is celebrated internationally on May 16th to promote digital accessibility and inclusion for all technology and media users - specifically for people with disabilities. The observance encourages developers, creators, and designers to prioritize creating inclusive digital spaces where everyone can participate in the same opportunities when engaging with digital content.
Learn about how GAAD has become an important part of raising awareness about the need for accessibility in today's technology landscape in the resources below:
Looking for ways to spread awareness and celebrate the observance with your workplace? We've got you covered! Here's a free email template resource for you to adapt and share with your colleagues and work teams this Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
May 17th marks International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. Recognized in the United States, as well as around the world, participate in the observance with your workplace to educate yourself on the discrimination, erasure, and violence against LGBTQIA+ people across the globe. Stand up against hate and bigotry - show your support for the community in your workplace by sharing the resource list below on the observance and how to get involved:
Looking for a more interactive way to participate in this observance with your team? Consider bringing one of our educational Lunch and Learn sessions highlighting LGBTQIA+ topics to your workplace.
Memorial Day
Celebrated annually in the United States, this holiday honors those who lost their lives while serving in the military. It falls each year on the last Monday in May. For more information on the history and traditions surrounding the day, please visit here.
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As we approach the halfway point of the year, we should strive to continue to enrich ourselves and those around us, as well as reflect on the topics we learned about in the previous months. What did we value heading into 2024? Has that changed or evolved? If so, how?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of the celebrations, observances, and holidays happening all over the world each month, but luckily The Rise Journey has you covered for all of your DEIBA needs!
From highly curated Lunch & Learn sessions covering topics from Black History Month to Cultivating Workplace Belonging, The Rise Journey offers the resources and tools you need to educate, acknowledge, and celebrate diversity in the workplace.
Please subscribe to our monthly newsletter, which covers different topics every month! The Rise Journey can keep you aware of and up to date on upcoming events, celebrations, and observances to share with your colleagues and friends!
