Happy September! Two upcoming events in the Phoenix area that may be of interest to you include the Latinx Heritage Month 5K and the Pride of Maricopa Conference. The 5K run includes food, refreshments, and music and is based at Tortoise & Hare Sports in Glendale on Saturday, September 16th. The Pride of Maricopa Conference is taking place Friday, September 29th at Mesa Community College and is focused on celebrating diversity and addressing issues in the queer and trans communities. Click on the links above to learn more.
To recognize the diversity of cultures and expressions represented at TGen, we’d like to highlight several holidays and observances throughout the month of September. If we’ve missed any, please let us know so we can include your observance suggestion for 2024.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Labor Day, Monday, September 4
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors and recognizes the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. Image is of members of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union stand on 5th Avenue during the Labor Day Parade, in New York, New York, on September 6, 1982.
Hispanic Heritage Month, Friday, September 15 through Sunday, October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the cultures, contributions, and histories of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Independence days for Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile fall within this month-long observance.
Rosh Hashanah, Friday, September 15th–Sunday, September 17th
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Customs include sounding the shofar (a cleaned-out ram's horn) and eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey to evoke a sweet new year.
Mexican Independence Day, Saturday, September 16
Mexican Independence Day celebrates the moment when Catholic priest Father Hidalgo made the first cry for Mexico's independence from Spain. The day is commemorated by a national holiday in Mexico, historical reenactments, fireworks, and dance routines.
International Day of Peace, Thursday, September 21
The International Day of Peace is a holiday recognized by the United Nations. The purpose of this day is to strengthen the ideals of peace through observation of 24 hours of non-violence and cease fire. This year's theme is: Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace.
Yom Kippur, Sunday, September 24 through Monday, September 25
Yom Kippur is the most solemn of Jewish holidays and concludes the "10 days of repentance" that begins with Rosh Hashanah. Yom Kippur is spent in meditation and prayer, and on the eve of Yom Kippur the Kol Nidre prayer is recited.
As always, we welcome questions, concerns, or suggestions, which can be sent to [email protected] or to any of the members listed on the DEI Hub page.
