This month, the IDEAs Council chose to discuss International Transgender Day of Visibility and Deaf History Month.
International Transgender Day of Visibility, is an awareness day celebrating transgender and gender nonconforming people while outlining the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice. It promotes the courage to live openly and authentically and raises awareness about the discrimination and violence transgender people face. It also honors the resilience of transgender people everywhere. For more information, please click here to learn more.
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Deaf History Month is recognized every year from March 13–April 15. It was created to raise awareness of deaf Americans and highlight the struggles and contributions of prominent deaf individuals. The celebration of Deaf History Month is traced back to deaf employees at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. In 1996, they taught their colleagues sign language to better communicate and create a more inclusive environment. The library quickly celebrated this week annually and shortly after that, deaf awareness week evolved into a month-long period devoted to promoting a greater understanding of the deaf community.
Here are some ways you can observe Deaf History Month:
- Learn and practice American sign language (ASL)
- Learn more about prominent deaf activists and leaders
- Volunteer or help out in your local deaf school or community center
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The IDEAs Council is proud to welcome our newest member Frances Cohen. We are so excited to have her join us.
We are looking for one more new council member to join the IDEAs Council. If interested, please reach out to Hailey Lavoie at HLavoie@CMCenergy.com or the council general email at Ideascouncil@CMCenergy.com.
IDEAs Council topics for the coming months:
April – Autism Acceptance Month and Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
May – Eid-Al-Fitr and World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development