Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Volume 20 l No. 05

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF FILE OF THE CURRENT PAPER EDITION

Scholarships

Academic Calendar

Board Briefs

MCCEE: Making Things Better Archive

QEP Quips

MCC Inclement Weather Policy

Archive

February 9 through 15
Jeff Benfield—Feb. 10

Chris Yockey—Feb. 10

Marc Davis—Feb. 11

David Drum—Feb. 12

Samantha Brown—Feb. 13

Joshua Young—Feb. 13

Amy Naylor—Feb. 14

Deadline for article submissions to Mitchell Columns is every Tuesday at 9 a.m. E-mail articles to  printgraph@mitchellcc.edu

Coming Soon!

SGA Spotlight Archive

The Inspirting Corner Archive

• 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day
  March 8, 2011 is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas. Increasingly, IWD is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. Over the years, the UN and its technical agencies have promoted the participation of women as equal partners with men in achieving sustainable development, peace, security, and full respect for human rights. The empowerment of women continues to be a central feature of the UN’s efforts to address social, economic and political challenges across the globe. To learn more, visit the UN web site at www.un.org/womenwatch/
  feature/iwd/history.html. —Submitted by Diversity Task Force (03.02.11)

• February is African-American History Month
  African-American History Month started as Negro History Week and was first celebrated a week in February 1926 that encompassed the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. By 1950, Negro History Week had become a central part of African-American life and substantial progress had been made in bringing more Americans to appreciate the celebration. The Black Awakening of the 1960’s and the Civil Rights movement focused all Americans on the subject of the contributions of African-Americans to our history and culture. The celebration was expanding to a month in 1976 and President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every endeavor throughout our history." Since then each American president has issued African-American History proclamations. (Excerpt from an essay by Daryl Michael Scott, Howard University, for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) —Submitted by Diversity Task Force (02.16.11)

• World AIDS Day
  World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 each year around the world. It is a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. On Wednesday, December 1, information about HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and local free testing locations will be on display in the Montgomery Student Union. Also, red ribbons will be available to wear in observance of World AIDS Day. Please visit the Student Union this Wednesday to get a red ribbon and receive materials about how HIV/AIDS has progressed in North Carolina and how to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. —Submitted by Diversity Task Force (12.01.10)

The Diversity Task Force is planning a variety of events in November in recognition of National American Indian Heritage Month, AIDS Awareness Month and Veterans Day. Information about these events is coming soon. —Submitted by Diversity Task Force (10.27.10)

• National Hispanic American Heritage Month
  The MCC Diversity Task Force is celebrating National Hispanic American Heritage Month in September. In 1968 President Lyndon Johnson signed an act establishing National Hispanic Heritage Week, which became National Hispanic American Heritage Month in 1989. According to the Law Library of Congress, "National Hispanic Heritage Month" celebrates and recognizes the contributions Hispanic Americans have made to American society and culture and to honor five of our Central American neighbors who celebrate their Independence days in September." September 15 is Independence Day in Costa Rico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, and Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16. The histories and cultures of the United States and our southern neighbors are deeply intertwined; therefore, it is important to study, learn, and discover the traditions, customs, and experiences of the varied groups of Hispanic Americans. To that end, the Diversity Task Force event team for National Hispanic American Heritage Month—Eduardo Garcia and Roxanne Newton—has planned a series of events, including films and discussion groups for the month of September. In addition, Eduardo Garcia researched and planned an informative poster, designed by Judy Phillips, which features noted Hispanic-American leaders. The poster will be distributed and posted on campus. Check the MCC website and the calendar of events for additional information. —Submitted by Diversity Task Force (09.15.10)

• Labor Day—Celebrating Workers’ Contributions to the U.S.
  On Monday, September 6, the United States will celebrate the national holiday in honor of organized labor and the achievements of American workers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the holiday originated in New York City on September 5, 1882 and was organized by the Central Labor Union of New York. Other industrial cities soon followed New York’s example. By 1894, 23 states had adopted the holiday, and that same year the United States declared a national Labor Day holiday. "The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership—the American worker." [The quote is excerpted from the Department of Labor web site at www.dol.gov.] —Submitted by Diversity Task Force (09.01.10)

• March is National Women’s History Month
  As the College commemorates and celebrates the lives and work of women, perhaps we should consider why we should study women’s history. The National Women’s History Project first proposed the idea 30 years ago. Their rationale is expressed in the following quotation: "In our own personal lives, the National Women’s History Project encourages discovering stories about our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers to help us better understand their lives, the challenges they faced, and ultimately, ourselves and our own times. Recognizing the dignity and accomplishments of women in our own families and those from other backgrounds leads to higher self-esteem among girls and greater respect among boys and men. The results can be remarkable, from greater achievement by girls in school to less violence against women, and more stable and cooperative communities. The impact of women’s history might seem abstract to some, and less pressing than the immediate struggles of working women today. But to ignore the vital role that women’s dreams and accomplishments play in our own lives would be a great mistake. We draw strength and inspiration from those who came before us and those remarkable women working among us today. They are part of our story, and a truly balanced and inclusive history recognizes how important women have always been in American society." Excerpted from the National Women’s History Project www.nwhp.org/aboutnwhp/
  index.php —Submitted by Diversity Task Force (03.03.10)

• National African-American History Month
  National African-American History Month in February celebrates the contributions that African-Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation’s history. Harvard-educated historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson successfully promoted the first Negro History Week in 1926..."At mid-century, mayors of cities nationwide issued proclamations noting Negro History Week... [and later] the Civil Rights movement focused Americans of all colors on the subject of the contributions of African-Americans to our history and culture." During the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, the celebration of black history was expanded to a month. "President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to ‘seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.’ By this time, the entire nation had come to recognize the importance of Black history in the drama of the American story. Since then each American president has issued African-American History Month proclamations." The Association for the Study of African-American Life and History, founded by Dr. Woodson, continues to promote the study of Black history all year. Excerpted from the US Library of Congress www.loc.gov/law/help/
  commemorative-observations/african-american.php —Submitted by Diversity Task Force (02.10.10)

• "If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place."—Margaret Mead
  In September, the Diversity Task Force celebrates National Hispanic American Heritage Month and Healthy Aging Month with various programs, concerts, and information. Join us for these events as together we celebrate diversity! —Submitted by Diversity Task Force (09.02.09)