The 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment |
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On August 26, 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment was certified. This day was declared Women’s Equality Day by Congresswoman Bella Abzug in 1971 and traditionally the President of the United States issues a proclamation each year to recognize this important day marking the right to vote for women. 100 years later, in a time when we recognize that gender identity is not a binary construct, we must consider what women’s equality means to all of us. Gender inequality exists in many forms – unequal pay, role stereotyping, gender labeling. These inequalities are magnified for those conforming to traditional gender stereotypes and people of color. These inequities and subtle sexism are confronted every day through comments, decisions, judgments, and assumptions. Comments include, “It’s time to man-up.” Or “Stop acting like a girl.” Decisions include choosing a male for leadership position instead of a woman assuming she won’t want the increased workload because of family commitments. Judgment is passed regarding clothing or appearance based on gender-biased assumptions. Assumptions are made that the stereotypical male in the room is in charge.
We have many outstanding leaders across the gender spectrum and we have made great strides as an organization to equalize the playing field. We should celebrate each other and our progress. However, we can do better. We can recognize the subtle and not so subtle sexism in our environment and take action:
- Educate yourself about all the forms of sexism
- Support gender diversity in leadership roles
- Ensure all voices are heard in discussion forums
- Create teachable moments when hearing sexist jokes or comments
- Question work assignments that seem based on gender roles and stereotypes
- Avoid commenting on appearance – what may seem like a compliment can undermine credibility
- Check yourself: Are gender roles or stereotypes influencing assumptions and/or choices you are making for individuals working with you? Is performance or leadership capability being assessed differently based on gender?
Sexism is often subtle and subconscious. This is not a time to blame or point fingers, rather to work together to improve the environment for all across the gender spectrum. We are so grateful to those who fought before us for gender and racial equality and we owe it to them to continue to strive towards a truly just world. On August 26th, take a moment to recognize those around you that embody these values and then consider whether you can commit to taking action going forward to further reduce gender inequality.
Martha F. Perry, MD
she/her/hers
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Outpatient Section Chief, General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Division
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UNC Health Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Survey
Your voice matters! UNC Health is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our One Great Team.
Responses will be kept anonymous. Your feedback is invaluable in helping to shape current and future decisions about diversity, equity and inclusion at UNC Health. Thank you for sharing your voice!
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"The Diversity Pipeline: Is It Leaking or Is It Clogged?"
August 13, 2020 from 8-9a
Meeting number (access code): 160 361 2354
Meeting password: 2BnkFPDAw35
David J. Brown, MD
Associate Vice President & Associate Dean for Health Equity and Inclusion
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
University of Michigan Medical School
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Pronoun Cards Are Now Available!
Wearing these cards in a visible place can help clinicians navigate conversations, show support to patients and families, and identify one’s own preferred pronouns.
These two-sided, laminated cards hang beneath your badge, as shown, so your preferred pronouns are displayed. The card also includes The Genderbread Person, which helps graphically explain the difference between gender identity, gender expression, sex gender, as well as sexual orientation.
These cards have already been distributed to all the new residents. Contact your division administrator if you're interested in getting your own pronoun card.
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The Department of Pediatrics will host a
Safe Zone Training
August 27th 1:00-5:00pm
This 4-hour training is designed to introduce concepts, terminology and resources related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Safe Zone trainees develop:
- A deeper awareness of personal ideas, stereotypes, and assumptions related to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA) individuals
- An increased comfort level in addressing concepts and language regarding LGBTIQA communities with the university community and with individuals
- An increased awareness of services on campus that support LGBTIQA and allied individuals
- A network of community and campus staff, faculty, and students to support people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions on campus.
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August Dates to Note
Other important dates can be found on the
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A Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. Lughnasadh is the first of the three harvest Sabbats (Mabon and Samhain are the others), celebrating the ripening of grains and corn. It is sometimes known as the festival of the first fruits, since corn, wheat, and barley are ready to be picked by August in the Northern Hemisphere.
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A Hindu holiday commemorating the loving kinship between a brother and sister. “Raksha” means “protection” in Hindi and symbolizes the longing a sister has to be protected by her brother. During the celebration, a sister ties a string around her brother’s (or brother-figure’s) wrist and asks him to protect her. The brother usually gives the sister a gift and agrees to protect her for life. |
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August 10: Krishna Janmashtami |
A Hindu celebration of Lord Vishnu’s most powerful human incarnations, Krishna, the god of love and compassion. This is one of the great Hindu night festivals. Worshippers fast and go to temples to see dance dramas enacting scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.
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August 12: International Youth Day |
Established to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth. The Programme encourages youth around the world to organize activities to raise awareness about the situation of youth in their country. |
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August 15: Feast of the Assumption |
According to the beliefs of the Catholic Church, Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy, as well as parts of Anglicanism, the day commemorates the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life. |
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August 16-August 23: Paryushana Parva |
The Festival of Forgiveness is a Jain festival lasting eight to ten days that is observed through meditation and fasting. This is a time for fasting, repentance, and purification, as well as observing austerities to help shed accumulated karmas.
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August 19: Hijri New Year |
This begins the first day of Muharram of the new year 1442 based on the Islamic lunar calendar. Years in the Islamic lunar calendar are called Hijrah years and are designated as anno Hegirae (Latin for "in the year of the Hijrah"), abbreviated "A.H." Since Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar, a holiday may occur twice in the same Gregorian year. |
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August 21: Ganesh Chaturthi |
A Hindu holiday lasting around 10 days, where the elephant-headed Hindu God is praised and given offerings. |
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August 26: Women’s Equality Day |
Commemorates the August 26, 1920, certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that gave women the right to vote. Congresswoman Bella Abzug first introduced a proclamation for Women’s Equality Day in 1971. Since that time, every president has published a proclamation recognizing August 26 as Women’s Equality Day. |
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An Islamic holiday commemorating the day Noah left the ark and the day Allah saved Moses from the Egyptians. When Muslims were later commanded to fast during Ramadan, the fast of Ashura became voluntary.
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Stuart Gold, Committee Chair
Christian Lawrence
Robin Howard
Jennifer McElroy
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Martha Perry
Nina Jain
Jessie Feudale
Hadley Kifner
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Kenya McNeal-Trice
Benny Joyner
Jennifer Gutierrez-Wu
Zachary Pettigrew
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