Heritage & Awareness Events

Hispanic Heritage month begins on Sept. 15 with the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. During this month Mexico declared its independence on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18. This month is to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

In the 2021-2022 school year, we will be highlighting LGBTQIA+ Awareness, Pride, and Visibility in March. Please visit the Women’s History/Disability Awareness/LGBTQIA+ Awareness drop-down menu for our list of events!

While LGBTQ+ Pride Month is in June, LGBTQ+ Awareness month is in October. LGBT Awareness month began its celebration in 1994. It has since expanded to LBGTQ+ Awareness month to be more inclusive of all genders and sexualities. In October there are three major LGBTQ+ Holidays. On October 11 we observe National Coming Out Day. October 20 is Spirit Day when people wear purple to show support for LGBTQ+ teens who are/were victims of bullying. October 26 - November 1 (Varies by year) is Asexual Awareness Week. Overall this month is a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ identified individuals and to give a chance for non-LGBTQ+ identified individuals to learn. There is a training called Safe Zone to help students become more aware of the diversity in the LGBTQ+ community and also to make the students an available resource to talk to judgment-free. All individuals that have completed the session receive a “Safe Zone” sticker.

In the 2021-2022 school year, we will be highlighting Disability Awareness in March. Please visit the Women’s History/Disability Awareness/LGBTQIA+ Awareness drop-down menu for our list of events!

Disability Employment Awareness month is also celebrated in October. It is used to recognize the important role that persons with disabilities play in the workforce and workplace diversity. Shortened to NDEAM, this month celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates others on the value of a diverse workforce inclusive of their skills and talents.

Alice Wong Women’s History Month Keynote - Facebook Recording

This month began as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution in 1990 designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month. This month recognizes the first people that inhabited what is now known as the United States. It also remembers the struggles of violence, discrimination, and alienation that the Natives had to endure. November not only celebrates the Native American Culture but also recognizes the history of this culture.

This day began with the signing of legislation in 1983, which officially marked the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a federal holiday. In 1994 Congress designated this federal holiday as a national day of service. This day takes place annually on the 3^rd Monday in January. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.” Although nationally this is a day of service, here at Alma College we spend the entire week celebrating the legacy of Dr. King and his work. Learn more.

2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Overview Flyer

The month of February pays tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society. This event began as a week-long celebration in 1925 and expanded to a month-long event in 1976.

The origins of Women’s History Month as a celebration began in 1981 when the President proclaimed the week beginning March 7, 1982, as Women’s History Week. In 1987 Congress declared the month of March 1987 as Women’s History Month. This month recognizes the changes that women have made throughout history to improve the environment, the laws for women in the U.S. (and other oppressed groups), as well as other improvements to the world.

Disability Awareness Month was declared as a proclamation by President Ronald Regan in 1987 as a call to provide understanding, encouragement and opportunities to help people with disabilities. 

LGBTQIA+ History Month is normally celebrated in October, and Pride month is celebrated in June. Alma College is celebrating in March because classes would not be in session in June for students to celebrate LGBTQIA+ History and pride.

This month is about celebrating Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States. This month began in 1977 with the proclamation of the first 10 days of May being known as Asian - Pacific Heritage Week. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension making the week-long celebration a month-long celebration. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.