Around the Block – Celebrating Heritage Months and Enriching Our Cultural Tapestry

Celebrating the Rich Heritage of Multiple Groups in March

ID: Illustration saying Women's History Month in white with images of women of all colors

Women’s History Month

The origins of Women’s History Month can be traced to the events of 1857 when women in New York City factories protested against inadequate working conditions. The initial celebration of Women’s Day in the United States took place in 1909. Over seven decades later, in 1981, Congress officially designated the second week of March as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, this commemoration was expanded, with a presidential proclamation declaring March as Women’s History Month.

ID: illustration saying Irish American Heritage Month with shamrocks

Irish American Heritage Month

This month, we celebrate Irish American Heritage Month. For many years in our country’s history, the Irish faced a great deal of anti-immigrant sentiment, largely a result of their Catholicism, which clashed with the predominantly Protestant backgrounds of the original colonists. Congress made the recognition of Irish American Heritage month official in 1991. Locally, the Irish population was small until silver was discovered in Leadville, CO in the 1870s. It quickly became the most Irish city in the Rocky Mountains. They were later joined by Scottish, Welsh, and Cornish immigrants, and Colorado’s Celtic heritage remains strong today.

ID: illustration saying Greek American Heritage Month

Greek American Heritage Month

March marks Greek American Heritage Month, coinciding with the celebration of Greek American History Day on March 25 (Greece’s National Greek Independence Day). Between 1786 and the early 1900s, a significant influx of Greek immigrants arrived in the U.S. Between 1945 and 1982, Greek immigration increased, due to the need to escape economic hardships in Greece. Today, more than 3 million people in America proudly trace their roots to Greek ancestry, establishing it as one of the nation’s most substantial ethnic groups. Whether savoring mouthwatering cuisine, participating in traditional dances, or enjoying Greek music, there are myriad of ways to celebrate and embrace this dynamic heritage throughout this March.

Work of the College Series Events the Week of March 4


Meet the FAC leadership team on Monday, Mar. 4, at 1:30 p.m. in McHugh Commons. Learn how the museum, theater, and Bemis School of Art all collaborate on key programs and initiatives to increase awareness, attendance, and our connection with the Colorado Springs community and beyond! Please register in advance.

Come join the ADEI leadership team in a community conversation on antiracism on Tuesday, Mar. 5 at 2 p.m. in McHugh Commons. With antiracism central to the College’s mission, we can continuously uproot oppression wherever it exists, including within ourselves. A community conversation is a great tool to help us connect with each other and identify opportunities to challenge systems and attitudes that perpetuate oppression. Register today!

CGI Fellowship Applications are Open

ID: Infographic with a woman of color holding a microphone, text reading Clinton Global Initiative Applications Open Now Apply by March 15
This past January 16, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) announced a new fellowship designed to engage a curated cohort of emerging entrepreneurs. The program aims to equip fellows with essential resources and mentorship to develop and execute initiatives tackling pressing global challenges. In the inaugural 2024 year, the CGI Fellowship will choose 25 individuals to develop CGI Commitments to Action- new, specific, and measurable projects dedicated to addressing critical challenges including the climate crisis, global health inequity, and humanitarian crisis. More information about this new Fellowship is available here: www.clintonglobal.org/fellowship

Additionally, the CGI University 2024 application has launched. They are looking for current undergrad and grad students to apply for the 2024 student cohort. For more information on CGI University visit www.cgiu.org.

The application deadline for both programs is March 15. 

On Conversations with Dr. Myisha Cherry – J. Glenn and Ursula Gray Memorial Lecture in Philosophy

ID: Black woman wearing a demin jacket, smiling at the camera
If conversations are a way for our social, linguistic species to express and explain, correct, and collaborate, make sense of things and make things happen, then why are they — particularly the personal and political ones — so difficult to have? This talk considers these challenges and addresses the following question: How we can we be the kinds of people that others would want to have a conversation with?

This event takes place Thursday, Mar. 7, 3:30-5 p.m in Gaylord Hall, and is sponsored by the J Glenn & Ursula Gray Memorial Fund, the Philosophy Department, the Robert Lewis Endowed Fund for Philosophy, and the Rubens Family Fund.

Kathleen Shea ’24 is awarded Honorable Mention for the 2023-2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award (URA)

ID: Young caucasian woman with long brown hair, wearing a black sweater, looking at the calendar
Hats off to Kathleen Shea ’24 for earning Honorable Mention in the 2023-2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award, given by the Computing Research Association. The URA program acknowledges undergraduate researchers each year across North American universities, highlighting individuals with stellar academic achievements, significant service involvement, and notably, exceptional potential in computing research. For more information about the award, check out their website.

Kathleen, your achievement fills us with pride!

Fine Arts Center Corner

ID: Inforgraphic that says Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! Live on stage March 2-24
Come see the FAC’s next children’s theatre show, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! running March 2-24! It’s not easy being the Pigeon—you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something.

With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling Pigeon picture books, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. Tickets start at just $16! Visit the FAC Website for more information and to get tickets.

Photo of the Week

ID: Photo of people posing standing and laying down in front of the MATTEL sign outside.

Students from the Creativity and Innovation at Mattel Half-Block class pose in front of the Mattel sign.
Photo submitted by Professor Dan Johnson
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