Dear Friends of Pathfinder,
It’s not just the luck of the Irish that we’re celebrating during March, we’re also celebrating so many other wonderful important days like National Reading Month, National Optimism Month, and Easter will be celebrated in March this year for the Christian communities. Did you know there’s even a National Celery Month? I couldn’t believe it either! But that’s just a reminder that there’s so much to celebrate during the month of March and in life in general!
Personally, as an African American woman who supports individuals with disabilities and their families, two of my favorite holidays in March are Women’s History Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. I love celebrating the contributions of women in American History like those of Eliza Suggs, Barbara Jordan, Claudia Gordon, and my grandmother, Mary Ella Burse-Wright, who birthed and nurtured 8 children, one with a developmental disability (my Aunt Lawana who taught little children in church), and then went on to foster hundreds of children in her lifetime, several living with disabilities. She later adopted her last three foster children in her late fifties, one of them is hard of hearing and lives with a developmental disability. Needless to say, my passion for learning more and spreading awareness about developmental disabilities started at a very early age and continues into the work that I do today as a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Trainer and Practitioner and Communications Manager with Tennessee Disability Pathfinder.
So, no matter what you’re celebrating this month, whether it be World Down Syndrome Day, National Puppy Day, or even your birthday, let’s celebrate the rich tapestry of traditions and customs that make us unique. Together, we can create a more inclusive and harmonious world where everyone feels valued and respected. Whether it’s in our schools, workplaces, churches, or communities, let’s make the world a more inclusive and accepting place for all!
Best Wishes,
Sheena Adams-Avery, CDT, CDP
Communications Manager
Certified Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Trainer
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder