Heritage or history month celebrations are important on a college campus as they help to provide a space to teach and learn about the too-often neglected other stories that make up our nation’s cultural and diverse history. While we hope that contributions made by all groups of people are acknowledged throughout the year, heritage/history months provide the opportunity to reflect and recognize the complexities and richness of each culture or group. Heritage/history month recognitions do not attempt to address these complexities, but rather provide us with a moment to learn and celebrate the more visible and known aspects of a group’s culture, but more importantly to let our colleagues and students know that we value their culture or group’s contributions.
We invite you to take the opportunity during each history/heritage month to show colleagues and students that you are aware of the importance of their stories within the greater American narrative:
- Attend a campus event.
- Visit the display at Ingram Library.
- Better yet, integrate aspects of the culture or group that is being recognized in your everyday programming or work.
UWG celebrates each of the following heritage or history months.
- September 15 to October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month.
- October: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month on College campuses and coincides with National Coming Out Day on October 11.
- November: Native American Heritage Month.
- February: African American History Month.
- March: Women’s History Month.
- May: Asian American and Pacific Islanders Month.