October 2023 Monthly DEI Blog

October is a month that raises awareness about several important issues and days of cultural and social recognition.

Monthly Recognitions

Global Diversity Awareness Month:

An awareness month with the goal of promoting respect toward various cultures.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

First declared by Congress to raise awareness for the needs of those disabled, this month also celebrates the contributions of the nearly 18.6 million members of the US Workforce. This awareness month aims to advocate for individuals with disabilities and their inclusion in the workforce.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This annual international health campaign day can be celebrated in many ways, whether breast cancer walks or runs as well as other events honoring those who are fighting the disease and those who have lost their fight too. In 2009, Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week began during the third week of October too.

 LGBT History Month (U.S. and Canada)

National Polish American Heritage Month: A month selected to honor those with Polish heritage.

Recognition Days

October 9 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day (US):  honors the culture and history of all Native American people in the United States and its territories. It’s a day to recognize the violence they have faced in our history and the continued pursuit to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day forever.

October 9:  Canadian Thanksgiving Much like in the U.S., the Canadian holiday expresses the same heartfelt gratitude for life’s abundance, and is celebrated with close friends and family.

October 10 – World Mental Health Day:  intended to support and advocate for those inflicted with mental illness and to break the silence on the stigma of having illness in America.

Oct. 11: National Coming Out Day  celebrated on the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights as a reminder that one of our most basic tools is the power of coming out.

October 17 – Spirit Day:   aims to create awareness of the unprecedented level of bullying and harassment that the L.G.B.T.QQ youth are experiencing, and to promote support in the community.