Renowned historian, Carter G. Woodson, believed “truth could not be denied and that reason would prevail over prejudice.” He and other sociologists, historians, and civil rights activists fought to raise awareness for the contributions African- and Black Americans made to our country and wider civilization. Having earned his PhD at Harvard University in 1912, Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) and conceived the concept of Negro History week in 1925.  This was first celebrated in February of 1926 during the week that encompassed both the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

The response from educators, philanthropists, and many diverse communities was positive resulting in Negro History Week becoming a central recognition in many African American households and academic institutions.  Dr. Woodson passed away in 1950, and by this time many mayors and leaders across the nation issued proclamations recognizing this week and propelling its importance as a central to the Civil Rights movement.  In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” 

Fifty years after the first week-long recognition, the first African American History Month was realized. While it is essential we recognize these accomplishments throughout the year, this month commemorates and provides a special space to acknowledge those who have and continue to be trailblazers and selflessly contribute to our nation and the entire world. 

This month we will recognize many individuals throughout history.   It only seems fitting that we begin the month by recognizing the pioneers within our own Department of Pediatrics whose accomplishments may be unknown to many.

B. Thalphonza (“Thal”) Elliott, Jr. MD
Dr. Elliott graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.  He was the first African American graduate from the pediatric residency program at North Carolina Hospitals .  Dr. Elliott graduated from the residency program in 1968 and went on to practice Neonatology in the greater Atlanta, Georgia area.
Suzanne Tropez-Simms (nee White) MD MPH
Dr. Tropez-Simms graduated from the UNC pediatric residency program in 1979.  Dr. Tropez-Simms became the medical director of Wake Teen Medical Services and was described by those in the department as a “real saint”.  She cared for teenage mothers and their children as well as covering child abuse medicine with Dr. David Ingram in Raleigh, NC.  Dr. Tropez-Simms went on to join the faculty at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN where she achieved full Professor. At Meharry Medical College, Dr. Tropez-Simms served as the Associate Dean of Clinical Affiliations and Clerkship Director for decades.

Rupa Redding-Lallinger, MD
Dr. Redding-Lallinger graduated from Cornell Medical College of Cornell University prior to completing the combined Med-Peds residency program at UNC Hospitals in 1984.  She was the first African American graduate selected to serve as Chief Resident.   Dr. Redding-Lallinger went on to complete a Heme/Onc fellowship at UNC and was a faculty member in the Division of Hematology-Oncology for over 30 years, serving as director the Pediatric Sickle Cell programs.
Kenya McNeal-Trice, MD
Dr. McNeal-Trice graduated from Spelman College and Wayne State University School of Medicine prior to completing her pediatric residency training at NC Children’s Hospital in 2005.  She served as Chief Resident at WakeMed Hospitals and joined the faculty at UNC School of Medicine in 2007, serving as the Associate Director and later, Director of Medical Student Education in Pediatrics.  Dr. McNeal-Trice is the first African American to serve as the Pediatric Residency Program Director in the state of North Carolina and first African American appointed to a Vice Chair position in the Department of Pediatrics.

Christian Lawrence, MD
Dr. Christian Lawrence graduated from NC State University and UNC School of Medicine prior to completing his pediatric residency training at NC Children’s Hospital in 2019.  Dr. Lawrence was the recipient of the Rebecca Socolar Advocacy Award as a pediatric intern for his research and implementation of a project addressing food insecurity for patients and families presenting to the residency continuity clinic.  Dr. Lawrence is the first African American man selected to serve as Chief Resident in the Department of Pediatrics.
The Friday Center presents Voices for Equality

MIKE WILEY PRODUCTIONS: BREACH OF PEACE
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Performance 3:00–4:00p
Reception 4:00 – 5:00p
The Friday Conference Center

In celebration of Black History, the Friday Center for Continuing Education proudly presents a theatrical performance presented by acclaimed actor and playwright, Mike Wiley. His one-man play, Breach of Peace, pays tribute to the 1961 Freedom Fighters Movement.

May 24, 1961 was the day 19-year-old Jean Thompson’s father had prepared her for her entire life. “My parents always talked about the injustice of segregation, but they were optimistic; they didn’t feel like it was going to last forever,” Thompson recalled. “They raised us to be ready. I remember my dad saying the day will come, and when it does, you should be ready.”

On that day, she boarded a Trailways bus in Montgomery, Alabama with 11 young Freedom Riders bound for New Orleans – and history. Within three months, approximately 300 other riders took up the mantle to desegregate buses, following the path of the first brave few. Mobs bloodily assaulted many. Others were arrested shining a light on a brutal, segregated South. Breach of Peace is based on true accounts of surviving participants of the Freedom Rides as well as many other individuals involved in the early struggle for African-American equality.

This solo-play and multi-media performance, is a living monument to those remarkable young men and women of various races, religions and backgrounds who rose to face the dangers of fighting for just and equal treatment for all. Breach of Peace offers a powerful lesson of freedom, equality, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Admission is free, open to the public and appropriate for all ages.

Advance registration requested.
Call 919-962-3000 or 866-441-3683, or email  conferencecenter@unc.edu .
Gender Diversity and Evolving Legislation
 
Lawmakers in several states (including SD, SC, KY, GA, and FL) have recently filed or are considering filing legislation to ban evidence-based gender affirming treatment for transgender and nonbinary youth.

The proposed legislation in South Dakota has already passed the house and would make it a felony for providers to treat gender diverse youth under the age of 16 years old with hormone blockers or gender affirming hormones. Additionally, they would require any school counselor to “out” a gender diverse student to their parent/legal guardian.

Multiple professional organizations have spoken up against these legislative efforts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the Endocrine Society, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Due to discrimination and rejection experienced in their environments, gender diverse youth are at much higher risk for suicide. This risk escalates further when they are denied gender affirming treatment.

Below are links to provider sign-on letters
for those interested in pushing back on these legislative efforts.
Recruiting for Summer 2020
Safe Zone Training

Pediatrics Safe Zone Training
February 20, 1:00-5:00p
 
The Standard Safe Zone is a 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.
Sunday, March 29, 4-6 p.m.
The Friday Conference Center
February Dates to Note
Additional Information available at:
February 2: Candlemas
A Christian holiday that celebrates three occasions according to Christian belief: the presentation of the child Jesus; Jesus’ first entry into the temple; and Virgin Mary’s purification.
February 8: Lantern Festival
Celebrated on the fifteenth day of the lunisolar Chinese calendar. The Lantern Festival marks the last day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. Chinese lanterns are released and illuminate the night sky during this event.
February 9-10: Magha Puja Day
A Buddhist holiday, also known as Maka Bucha, that marks an event early in the Buddha’s teaching life when a group of 1,250 enlightened saints, ordained by the Buddha, gathered to pay their respect to him. It is celebrated on various dates in different countries.
February 9-10: Tu B’shevat
A Jewish holiday recognizing “The New Year of the Trees.” It is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat from sundown to sundown. In Israel, the flowering of the almond tree usually coincides with this holiday, which is observed by planting trees and eating dried fruits and nuts.
February 15: Parinirvana Day
Also called Nirvana Day, this day is the commemoration of Buddha’s death at the age of 80, when he reached the zenith of Nirvana. February 8 is an alternative date of observance.
February 21: Maha Shivarati
A Hindu festival celebrated each year to honor Lord Shiva. It is celebrated just before the arrival of spring. It is also known as the Great Night of Shiva or Shivaratri and is one of the largest and most significant among the sacred festival nights of India.
February 23: Meatfare Sunday
Also known as The Sunday of the Last Judgment, this is traditionally the last day of eating meat before Easter for Orthodox Christians.
February 25-29: Ayyám-i-Há
Also called Intercalary Days, at this time days are added to the Bahá’í calendar to maintain their solar calendar. Intercalary days are observed by people of the Bahá’í faith with gift giving, special acts of charity, and preparation for the fasting that precedes the New Year.
February 25: Mardi Gras
This is the last day for Catholics to indulge before Ash Wednesday starts the sober weeks of fasting that accompany Lent. The term “Mardi Gras” is particularly associated with the carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana.
February 26: Ash Wednesday
This is the first day of Lent on the Christian calendar. Its name is derived from the symbolic use of ashes to signify penitence. It takes place immediately after the excesses of the two days of Carnival (Mardi Gras) that take place in Northern Europe and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.
February 29 - March 19 : Nineteen-Day Fast
This is a time in the Bahá’í Faith to reinvigorate the soul and bring one closer to God. This fast begins at sunset and continues through sunset immediately before the beginning of the Bahá’í New Year.
Stuart Gold, Committee Chair
Christian Lawrence
Robin Howard
Jennifer McElroy
Nina Jain
Jessie Feudale
Hadley Kifner
Ian Buchanan
Kenya McNeal-Trice
Benny Joyner
Jennifer Gutierrez-Wu
Zachary Pettigrew