UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 191800Z JAN 17 FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 006/17 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JAN// SUBJ/2017 DIVERSITY HERITAGE CELEBRATIONS AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES// RMKS/1. This ALNAV announces the Diversity Heritage Celebrations and National Observances for Calendar Year 2017. 2. All commands are strongly encouraged to increase their knowledge and awareness of Diversity and Inclusion Heritage Celebrations and Special Observances by supporting programs, exhibits, publications, and participation in community military and civilian sponsored events throughout the year. 3. List of Diversity Heritage Celebrations and National Observances: a. National African American/Black History Month Dates: 1-28 February 2017 Theme: The Crisis in Black Education National African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans in their struggles for freedom and a time for recognizing the central role they have played in the history of the United States. Since 1976, every U.S. President has officially designated the month of February as National African American/Black History Month. This month had its origins in 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Through this organization Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. b. Womens History Month Dates: 1-31 March 2017 Theme: Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business Women's History Month originated in 1978, when the Sonoma County (California)Commission on the Status of Women initiated a women's history week to coincide with international women's day on 8 March. In 1981, in response to growing support for the week, Congress passed a joint resolution proclaiming a women's history week. The National Women's History Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and preserving women's history, petitioned Congress in 1987 to expand the celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, National Women's History Month has commemorated the diverse contributions women have made, and continue to make, to our nation. More information on the office of women's policy and events, observances, policies, and instructions are available at the Navy Office of Women's Policy website at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/organization /bupers/womenspolicy/. c. Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) Dates: 1-30 April 2017 Theme: Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission In the late 1980s, the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCASA) informally polled state sexual assault coalitions to determine the preferred date for a national Sexual Assault Awareness Week. A week in April was selected. By the late 1990s, many advocates began coordinating activities and events throughout the month of April, advancing the idea of a nationally recognized month for sexual violence awareness and prevention activities. Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month was first observed nationally in April 2001. In 2009, President Obama was the first U.S. President to proclaim April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This month should be used to underscore the Department of the Navy’s (DON) commitment to reinforce the importance of prevention and intervention, responding to and providing compassionate support to victims, and overall, creating an environment of true dignity and respect for all our Sailors and Marines. d. Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM) Dates: 1 30 April 2017 Theme: Keep Them Safe Campaign In the early 1980s, the U.S. Congress recognized the need for innovative programs to prevent child abuse and neglect and to assist parents and families affected by maltreatment. In 1983, Congress proclaimed April as National CAPM and designated it as a time for our nation to remember child fatality victims and survivors of abuse and neglect. Since April is the optimal time to reflect on the well-being of children, we are able to further heighten awareness around child safety by celebrating the month of the military child. The celebration reinforces DON commitment that all children deserve to be safe, nurtured, and cherished. Each year the Family Advocacy Program develops an enterprise-wide CAPM Campaign that serves as a prevention strategy that: (1) Reminds Sailors, Marines, and their families that Child Abuse and Neglect negatively impacts the Fleets mission and our war fighting capability. (2) Reminds the military community that all adults play a significant role in child abuse and neglect prevention. (3) Creates awareness that child abuse and child neglect is a public health and family issue. (4) Reinforces the Navys and Marine Corps commitment to prevent and eliminate child abuse and neglect from the DON and our joint base communities. https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics /preventing/preventionmonth. e. Days of Remembrance/Holocaust Remembrance Day Dates: 23-30 April 2017/24 Apr 2017 Theme: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Please visit www.ushmm.org for updates. The Holocaust was the state-sponsored systematic annihilation of European Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. Between 1933 and 1945, more than six million Jews were murdered while Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, gypsies, Jehovah's Witnesses, political dissidents, the physically and mentally disabled, and homosexuals also suffered grievous persecution under Nazi tyranny. Established by Congress in 1980 as the nation's annual commemoration of the Holocaust, the Days of Remembrance includes the observance of "Yom Hashoah," or Holocaust Remembrance Day. f. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Dates: 1-31 May 2017 Theme: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Please visit www.fapac.org for updates. Directed by Congress in 1977 and established by Presidential Proclamation in 1978, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was first observed the week of 4 May 1979. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush expanded the observance to encompass the month of May; and in 1992, Congress passed a law permanently designating May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The month of May is significant for this observance as it commemorates the arrival date of the first Japanese immigrants to the U.S. on 7 May 1843 and the significant contributions from Chinese pioneers completing the first Transcontinental Railroad on 10 May 1869. g. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month Dates: 1-30 June 2017 Presidential proclamation (historically published the beginning of June). Theme: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Please visit https://deomi.org/SpecialObservance/index.cfm for updates. (1) In recognition of June as LGBT Pride Month, the DON celebrates the sweeping changes of the past year that advance a culture of inclusion for all DON employees. (2) In April of 2014, the Department of Defense (DoD) re-issued its Human Goals Charter to include specifically the sexual preference of military personnel, thereby aligning the values of diversity and inclusion. As the charter states, We gain a strategic advantage through the diversity of our total force and create a culture of inclusion where individuals are drawn to serve, are valued and actively contribute to overall mission success. In July 2014, President Obama signed an executive order protecting federal employees from discrimination based on gender identity. This was followed in September 2014 by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions (EEOC) filing of two historic lawsuits concerning discrimination against transgender people. For the first time, the protections of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 were applied by EEOC to challenge discrimination based upon gender identity. These actions are the result of committed leaders, both within the LGBT community and throughout government. (3) In July 2015, the Secretary of Defense directed the DoD to identify the practical issues related to transgender Americans serving openly in the military and to develop an implementation plan that addresses those issues consistent with military readiness. On 30 June 2016, the Secretary announced a new policy allowing open service of transgender Service Members. (4) In November 2016, the Secretary of the Navy published guidance on the DONs transgender policy concerning transgender personnel. h. Womens Equality Day Dates: 26 August 2017 Theme: Celebrating Women's Right to Vote Women's Equality Day commemorates the struggle of women to gain the right to vote. The movement for women's rights was launched on a national level. In 1848, at what is now known as the Seneca Falls Convention, which originally advertised itself as a "Women's Rights Convention." Voting rights advocates Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, also known as "suffragists," along with Susan B. Anthony and other activists, formed organizations that raised public awareness and lobbied the government to grant voting rights to women making the right to vote a centerpiece of the women's rights movement. It would take 72 years after the suffrage movement began for these groups to emerge victorious with the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on 18 August 1920, which prohibited any U.S. citizen from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex. On Election Day that same year, more than eight million women across the nation voted for the first time. In 1971, to honor and commemorate this historic event, Congresswoman Bella Abzug (D-NY) introduced, and Congress signed, a resolution to designate 26 August as Women's Equality Day recognizing the anniversary of suffrage and of women's continued efforts toward equal rights. i. Suicide Prevention Month Dates: 1-30 September 2017 Theme: Navy: Every Sailor, Every Day Marine Corps: Be There - Suicide Prevention - It's every Marine's responsibility (1) Since 1974, the American Association of Suicidology has recognized the week of 10 September as National Suicide Prevention Week. Since 2012 the DoD has expanded this effort, devoting the entire month of September to promoting sustainable community-wide approaches to suicide prevention education and awareness. (2) The Navy uses Suicide Prevention Month as a launch-pad for continuous engagement throughout the year, providing Sailors, leaders, commands, and families with the tools to effectively navigate through stressful times while supporting help-seeking behavior. Supporting resources and communications are available at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers- npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/suicide_Prevention/spmonth/Pages/default.aspx to support commanders and unit Suicide Prevention Coordinators tailoring local initiatives. (3) The Marine Corps Suicide Prevention Program (MCSPP) observes the DoD’s Suicide Prevention Month in September. MCSPP theme: Be There - Suicide Prevention - Its every Marines Responsibility. (4) Since 2012, the DoD has expanded this effort, devoting the entire month of September to promoting sustainable community-wide approaches to suicide prevention education and awareness. MCSSP is committed to continuous year-round Suicide Prevention efforts proving a strategic plan for suicide prevention efforts across the Marine Corps. During Suicide Prevention Month, National Suicide Prevention Week, and World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, MCSPP provides supporting resources to commands and their Suicide Prevention Program Officers. j. Hispanic Heritage Month Dates: 15 September - 15 October 2017 Theme: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Please visit www.hispanicheritagemonth.org for updates. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from 15 September to 15 October, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. 15 September was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on 16 and 18 September, respectively. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on 17 August 1988, by the approval of Public Law 100-402. k. National Prisoner of War/Missing In Action (POW/MIA) Recognition Day Dates: 18 September 2017 Theme: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Please visit www.dtic.mil/dpmo for updates. The President of the United States issues an annual proclamation commemorating this national day of observance. Americans are to offer remembrance, honor, and reverence to those who were a POW and to over 33,000 Sailors and 3,000 Marines who remain MIA from our nation's wars. It is also a day we remember the families of POW/MIA and the sacrifices they have endured. For more information on National POW/MIA Recognition Day visit www.dtic.mil/dpmo. l. Domestic Violence Awareness Month Dates: 1-30 October 2017 Theme: TO BE ANNOUNCED (1) In 1989 the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). The observance not only gives us an opportunity to raise domestic violence awareness, but to inform Service Members and their families about domestic violence prevention efforts as well as reporting options for victims. (2) Commands are strongly encouraged to integrate short key leadership messages into their monthly training plans and participate in local DVAM events sponsored by the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC). To facilitate the delivery of DVAM messaging and obtain events materials, including discussion scripts, leadership videos, event planning materials, and Plan of the Day/Plan of the Week notes, contact your local FFSC, Family Advocacy Manager. (3) The 2017 observance of DVAM will emphasize addressing domestic violence as a shared community responsibility to prevent, recognize, and report domestic violence. The observance will feature military and civilian resources available to support victims, plan for safety, and rehabilitate offenders. m. National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Dates: 1-31 October 2017 Theme: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Please visit www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/index-2014.htm for updates. Held each October, NDEAM is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. For more information on the DONs National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), visit https://portal.secnav.navy.mil/orgs/MRA/DONHR/EEO/Pages/DON-Special-Emphasis- Program.aspx. n. National American Indian Heritage Month Dates: 1-30 November 2017 Theme: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Please visit www.saige.org for updates. Native American Heritage Month first began with the establishment of American Indian Day by the Governor of New York in May 1916. Later, several additional states enacted celebrations during the fourth Friday in September, but the celebration did not gain official national recognition until President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 as "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations under different names, including "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month," have been issued each year since 1994. 4. DoD themes are promulgated by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI). More information, guidance, and resources on Diversity Heritage Celebrations and National Observances can be found on the DEOMI website at http://www.deomi.org/SpecialObservance/. 5. Articles, presentations, and other supporting information can be found at the Naval History Command's website at http://www.history.navy.mil/. 6. More information on diversity observances is available at the Navy Diversity and Inclusion web site at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers- npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/diversity/Pages/DiversityObservances/aspx. 7. Point of contact for Navy diversity observances is CDR Jon Wilson, (703) 604-5082, charles.j.wilson@navy.mil. 8. Point of contact for Marine Corps diversity observances is Mr. Marc Sheppard, (703) 784-9371, marc.sheppard@usmc.mil. 9. Point of contact for DON Civilian Special Emphasis Program is Marco Bagnas, (202) 433-0938, marco.bagnas@navy.mil. 10. Point of contact for Navy Suicide Prevention Month is Caroline Miles, (901)874-6922, caroline.miles.ctr@navy.mil. 11. Point of contact for Sexual Assault Prevention Month for Navy is LCDR Steven Smiraldo,(703) 604-1204, steven.smiraldo@navy.mil. Marine Corps point of contact is Ms. Christine Heit, (703)784-4941, christine.heit@usmc.mil. 12. Point of contact for National POW/MIA Recognition Day is Rudy Gonzales,(901)874-2273, rudolph.gonzales2@navy.mil. 13. Point of contact for Child Abuse Prevention Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month is Lolita Allen, 202-433-4683, lolita.allen@navy.mil. 14. Released by Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//