Cultural Months

Black History Month Sock Drive 2022

Thanks to our incredible Rad Onc team members, we collected over 400 socks, 600 granola bars and many, many other food and toiletry items during the month of February 2022. Items were donated to Philly Unknown to be distributed to those in need in the Philadelphia community in March 2022.

May was Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, during the beginning of the California Gold Rush. It also marks the anniversary of the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869. Most of the workers who laid the tracks that connected the frontier to the rest of the country were Chinese immigrants.

Learn more about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 

• National Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
• Support Asian-owned Philly restaurants: Asian-Owned Restaurants to Check Out in Philadelphia
• Recommended Reading: Pen Libraries Collections Exhibits: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
• Featured Books: Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

In 2022....

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 as the day that slavery was effectively ended in the United States.  The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 declared the freedom of all those enslaved in the United State. However, this decree wasn’t enforced in the most western Confederate state of Texas until June 19, 1865 when  Union troops arrived in its city of Galveston Bay. 

Join with us in honoring this important day in United States history. 

This past year we celebrated by:

2022 JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL Join us in Germantown for 16th Annual Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival Saturday, June 18, 2022, 12pm – 5pm Celebrate and commemorate the 158th Anniversary of Juneteenth – the end of slavery in the United States

Some of our past celebrations:

2023

Happy June, let’s take the opportunity to celebrate Pride month by supporting local businesses that are giving back to the LGBTQ+ community. There are many places here in Philadelphia to show your support as well as national chains that give back to volunteer based organizations.  The attachment also highlights Pride history that includes connections to Philadelphia, as well as ongoing events, community centers, and local businesses that are celebrating this Pride Month.

 Links –

•       Pride Month at Penn Medicine

•       Events for Philly Pride Month '23 – festivals, shows, art, poetry, beers on tap & more

•       Essential Guide to LGBTQ+ Philadelphia

•       LGBTQ+ Owned Eats & Stays for Your PA Bucket List

Penn Organizations serving the Pride Community with support & safe spaces –

•       The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center @UPenn; Mon-Fri 10-5PM

•       LGBTQ Health Program

Finally, come out for some fun: Philly Events

•      This Saturday-> June 3^rd - Philadelphia Union Soccer Pride Night with the wellness committee & ACES

•      This Sunday-> June 4^th - Philly Pride March & Festival

•       June 18^th- Pride in the Park: Parks on Tap is scheduled to return from 12- 6PM. Come out and enjoy a lively day of music, cocktails, and camaraderie benefiting LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations

•       Learn more about Allyship!  Find tips on how to be a good Ally on our Listen Deeply Educational Resource on Aspiring Allyship

2021

June is LGBTQ pride month!

Pride Day is celebrated on June 28. The day marks the date in history when the first pride march was held in New York City in 1970.

Philadelphia is home to some of the oldest events associated with LGBTQ pride in the United States. One of those events is Pride Day, which takes place on the second weekend of June. It encourages guests to share their own stories and experiences about coming out and to help others in need. The Philly Pride Festival usually takes place from Friday to Sunday every year, and always promises a colorful scene.

Let's take a moment to recognize and celebrate the amazing contributions of individuals to LGBTQ equity and inclusion... view a slideshow.

 This month recognizes the contributions of the American Latino community to American history and culture. Instituted in 1968 as Spanish Heritage Week and expanded in 1988 to Spanish Heritage month, September 15^th marks the beginning of this event because of its significance as the anniversary of independence for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. 

Together with the Rad Onc DEI Committees, ACES and the Wellness Committee, join us in recognizing National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month. Consider the following ways to celebrate this month: Try- reading books by Hispanic and Latinx authors, cooking a few Latin inspired dishes, and support the Art, Culture, and Latinx-owned business by getting out for activities in our own city! 

From our 2022 celebration: 

Check out ongoing events in celebration throughout the city as well as places to visit, eat and shop in celebration of Philadelphia’s Hispanic Culture

For more information and resources, please visit: https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/

The Penn Native Community Council (PNCC), along with our friends from the Penn Libraries Collections Department, are scheduling our annual program that highlights native/indigenous writers and artist with a Book-DVD display at Van Pelt.  This month-long event will highlight the culture and the important contributions that Native people have made to this country.  This exhibit displays a selection of books and DVDs , featuring the unique challenges Native peoples have faced both historically and, in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

The display is open and runs though the month of November.  This display is located on the first floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center next to the New Books section.