Happy Pride Month! Pride joyfully celebrates the contributions of LGBTQ+ communities and catalyzes continued advocacy work for equity, equality and belonging for all. Pride Month is also a time to remember and honor those whose lives have been lost to hate crimes and institutional homophobia.  During Pride Month and all year long, LGBTQ+ people and [...]

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For many Americans, the last Monday in May – Memorial Day – indicates the unofficial start of summer and a day off from school or work. Across the country, parades are held, grills are fired up and people get together in backyards to eat, drink and socialize. Enjoying the day off is great, of course, [...]

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May is recognized as National Asian American, Native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the diverse people, cultures and communities whose contributions have greatly enriched American life.   The United States first recognized AANHPI heritage in 1978. The weeklong recognition was extended to a monthlong celebration in 1992 commemorating the rich heritage [...]

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As we recognize Earth Month in April and look forward to Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time to start planning how you might want to invest in our planet and celebrate sustainability.  This year’s Earth Day theme is Invest in our Planet, highlighting the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy [...]

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Women’s History Month offers an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the many women trailblazers who came before us. Women’s* History Month was established in 1987 by presidential proclamation to celebrate the contributions and achievements of women socially, politically, economically and culturally over the course of American history. Women’s History Month began in 1978 as [...]

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Volunteering is a fun way to support your favorite nonprofit organization – plus, research demonstrates that it’s good for you. Whether you are able to volunteer on a regular basis, or just have the occasional hour or two to spare, you can support a cause you are passionate about. Why Volunteer? Volunteering is good for [...]

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“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Strength to Love, 1963. This year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday being signed into federal law. As we celebrate [...]

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Each fall, the UW Combined Fund Drive – our workplace giving program for faculty, staff and retirees – spotlights a nonprofit organization doing amazing work to make our communities healthier and more resilient.  The 2022 featured nonprofit is Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). MSF is an independent and neutral organization offering medical humanitarian assistance around [...]

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Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, diverse cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Hispanic Heritage Month is also referred to as Latinx Heritage Month (the x indicating nonbinary gender inclusivity) but they are not the same thing: Hispanic refers to people [...]

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Thousands of kids across our state face barriers to success this back-to-school season. Your donation of supplies, money or time will help ensure these kids have what they need to realize their potential this year. For many children in our communities, there are any number of obstacles to getting an education: unmet basic needs, homelessness, [...]

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Our booksellers have put together this great list from across multiple genres to help readers learn about and understand the varied experiences of refugees from across the world. Short stories, poetry, and picture books bring to the forefront the heart of the lived experience instead of just more headlines. Check out these titles at ubookstore.com [...]

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Imagine walking six miles a day across hilly, uneven, or muddy terrain with a pack on your back that weighs 50 pounds. But this is not army basic training or a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. Now imagine you are hungry and quite possibly suffering from gastrointestinal illness–yet you still must undertake this ordeal [...]

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