Cyber Exhibit

1. Cyber Exhibit Welcome This exhibit is designed to enlighten and educate you. Use your arrow keys on your keyboardto navigate through the exhibit.You will notice many hyperlinked words throughout the exhibit. Please click on those links for more related information. Hit the Escape key to exit.Enjoy!

2. Cyber Exhibit Celebrating the Uniqueness of You Diversity Awareness April 2010 Presented by Federally Employed Women

3. Diversity Awareness What do you see in the picture above? Is there someone in the photo who reminds you of a family member, a friend, or a co-worker? What else do you see? Are the people older than you? Younger than you? Does that matter to you?

4. Diversity Awareness • There are no right or wrong answers to the questions on the previous slide. They were asked just to point out that when you see someone else for the first time, you make instant decisions about them whether you are conscious of it or not.

5. Diversity Awareness • 2010 is an important year in terms of diversity. The U.S. Census is currently collecting data on the population. It is a safe bet that what is reported will be vastly different from what was reported 50, 40, 30, 20, and even in the last census.

6. Diversity Awareness • Companies, organizations, schools, and agencies have conducted studies about diversity because it is commonly acknowledged that diversity matters – in communities, in schools, and in the workplace.

7. Diversity Awareness From the University of Oregon’s website: Definition of DiversityThe concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.  These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.  It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual. http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~asuomca/diversityinit/definition.html

8. Diversity Awareness • The key components to diversity fit together like the pieces of your favorite jigsaw puzzle. Apart, they are interesting in and of themselves for their varied shapes, sizes, and hints of color and what the total picture may look like.

9. Diversity Awareness • What can you do to advance diversity awareness in your workplace? Be proactive! • When you are assigned to a new project with people you don’t know well – or at all – look for similarities, rather than differences. Seek common ground.

10. Diversity Awareness • For example, you may find others on the team who have child care or elder care concerns - like you. • Or they may be recently or going through a divorce. Been there, done that...survived it, too. • Does someone else at the table like ham on rye for lunch, like you? With or without cheese? Swiss, provolone, American?

11. Diversity Awareness • Perhaps they come from a different culture than your own. If you want to learn something about their culture, it is okay to ask questions in a polite way.

12. Diversity Awareness • For example, a woman on the team has a distinctly different accent from your own. You may want to ask her about it but don’t want to risk being too blunt. You may want to say, “Mary, I enjoy listening to you speak. …

13. Diversity Awareness • ...Your accent is different from mine. I grew up in the Northeast and have been known to ‘go pawk the caw.’” She may join you in a laugh as you gently poke fun at your own heritage. You have opened the door to a conversation about regions, countries, and accents if she wants to follow your lead.

14. Diversity Awareness • Another woman at the meeting may be wearing a suit you find particularly flattering. But, should you tell her so? These days, it is hard to know what’s okay to say and what isn’t. “Betty, that color looks great on you!” is likely to be accepted in the spirit intended, as a compliment.

15. Diversity Awareness • Betty may even be inclined to start a dialogue with you about shopping, which could lead to other topics, personal and business, and maybe you’ve just made a new friend. • People come in every size, shape, and description. They come from every corner of the world. More importantly, they bring all kinds of talent, creativity, energy, enthusiasm, and thought processes to your organization

16. Diversity Awareness • Successful organizations have people who know how to tap and channel that talent, creativity, energy, enthusiasm, and thought processes to their benefit.

17. Diversity Awareness • It is a win-win situation when that happens because people who are valued for what they bring to the table are more apt to give more freely of themselves in return for being engaged in the mission of the organization on a day-to-day basis.

18. Diversity Awareness Remember these people? It looks like they work for a company/organization/ agency that gets what diversity is all about.

19. Diversity Awareness • Federally Employed Women stresses the importance of diversity by ensuring there is a Vice President for the position, as well as an annual diversity award category. • Visit the FEW website (www.few.org) and click on the Diversity button in the Focus Areas to learn more about FEW’s commitment to diversity.

20. Diversity Awareness Purpose of Observances Observances are conducted to recognize the continuous achievements of all Americans to American culture and to increase awareness, mutual respect, and understanding. 1.  Observances are designed to enhance cross-cultural and cross-gender awareness and promote harmony among all military members, their families, and the civilian work force.

21. Diversity Awareness Purpose of Observances 2.These activities are extensions of the equal opportunity education and training objectives. 3. They are set aside annually to recognize the achievements and contributions made by members of specific groups in our society.

22. Diversity Awareness Purpose of Observances 4. The focus of the observance should be directed toward encouraging interaction and not just recognition. 5. Success can best be measured by the degree of cross-cultural and cross-gender participation.

23. Diversity Awareness Purpose of Observances • Observances are held annually in support of Joint Congressional Resolution, Presidential Proclamation, and achievements of all groups that comprise the society of the United States.  Since 1968, the Department of Defense (DoD) has proudly supported observances through the development of local programs of recognition and many diverse activities. • The following observances are recognized by the DoD. Check with your EEO/Diversity Office for the list of observances recognized by your agency.

24. Diversity Awareness Observances • January • Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, 3rd MondayUS Code as of:  01/26/98, Sec. 169j. Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal legal holiday • The Congress finds that:  January 20, 1986, marks the first observance of the Federal legal holiday, established by Public Law 98-144, honoring the  birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.; • such holidays should serve as a time for Americans to reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr.; and • it is appropriate for the Federal Government to coordinate efforts with Americans of diverse backgrounds and with private organizations in the observance of the Federal legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

25. Diversity Awareness Observances • February • African-American/Black History Month, 1-28/29 • Authority:  First Presidential Proclamation, Feb 1976. The first ethnic observance was the brainchild of Carter G. Woodson, a noted African-American author and scholar.  He established Negro History Week in 1926.  The week evolved into a month-long celebration in 1976 and is observed every February.

26. Diversity Awareness Observances • March • Women's History Month, 1-31 • Authority: Public Law 100-9, Mar 1987. In 1981, Congress passed a joint resolution proclaiming March as Women's History Month based on a 1978 model of Women's History Week established by California's Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women.

27. Diversity Awareness Observances • April/May • "Days of Remembrance" of Victims of the Holocaust. One week incorporating Ha'Shoa. • Authority: Public Law 96-388, Oct 1988. The United States Holocaust Memorial Council (USHMC) was established in 1980 by Public Law 96-388.  The council coordinates an annual, national civic commemoration of the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust, held in the Nation's Capital. Ceremonies are conducted throughout the U.S. during the annual Days of Remembrance, proclaimed by the USHMC for a designated one-week period (Sunday to Sunday) each Spring between mid-April and mid-May.

28. Diversity Awareness Observances • May • Asian Pacific-American Heritage Month, 1/31. U.S. Code as of:  01/26/98, Sec. 169k. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month • Designation May of each year is designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.“ • Federal proclamation - The President is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation calling on the people of the State to observe the month designated in subsection (a) of this section with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities. • State proclamations - The chief executive officer of each State is requested to issue annually proclamation calling on the people of the State to observe the month designated in subsection (a) of this section with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

29. Diversity Awareness Observances • May continued • "State" defined - For purposes of subsection (c) of this section, the term "State” means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.

30. Diversity Awareness Observances • August • Women's Equality Day, 26 • On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was certified as part of the U.S. Constitution. Referred to as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, it states, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” • The U.S. Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" in 1971 to honor women's continuing efforts toward equality.

31. Diversity Awareness Observances • September/October • Hispanic Heritage Month, 15 Sep - 15 Oct, U.S. Code as of:  01/26/98, Sec. 169f. National Hispanic Heritage Month • The President is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the 31-day period beginning September 15 and ending on October 15 as "National Hispanic Heritage Month" and calling upon the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe such month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

32. Diversity Awareness Observances • October • National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 1-31, U.S. Code as of:  01/26/98, Sec. 155. National Disability Employment Awareness Month • Hereafter the month of October in each year shall be designated as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  During such month appropriate ceremonies shall be held throughout the Nation, the purposes of which will be to enlist public support for and interest in the employment of otherwise qualified but workers with disabilities.  The President is hereby requested to issue a suitable proclamation each year, and the Governors of States, mayors of cities, and heads of other instrumentalities of government, as well as leaders of industry, educational and religious groups, labor, veterans, women, farm, scientific and professional, and all other organizations, and individuals at interest are invited to participate.

33. Diversity Awareness Observances • November • Native-American Heritage Month, 1-30 • Authority/comment:  Public Law 102-188, Mar 1992. It took more than 80 years for the Nation to establish a National American Indian Heritage Month.  The Boy Scouts set aside a day for the "First Americans" in the early 1900s. On Sept. 28, 1915, the Congress of the American Indian Association declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day. Since then, several States declared American Indian days until 1976, when Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing the President to proclaim the week of Oct. 10-16 as "Native-American Awareness Week."  Days and weeks of different months were set aside to honor the first Americans until they were given a month in 1990.  President Bush proclaimed 1992 as the "Year of the American Indian," based on legislation by Congress.

34. Diversity Awareness • Additional resources: • http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs.ui362.pdf • http://rctm.com/ProductsProducts/diversitydisability16399.htm • www.patrick.af.mil/deomi/deomi.htm