The purpose of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee at Systems Unlimited is to promote acceptance, involvement, and fairness throughout the company by continuously providing space for fresh perspectives and celebrating the differences between our employees and the people we serve.
DEIB will focus on improving our channels of communication that drive opportunities for the growth and success of our Systems Unlimited family, thereby creating a place we can ALL call home.
Through our community collaboration and awareness, we strive to become a recognized leader in the State of Iowa for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the workplace.
Whether you are a staff member or a person we serve, you belong here.
The month of December recognizes Universal Human Rights, along with the 10th of December acknowledging Human Rights Day. The month and day were designated in 1948 with the first Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which is a pledge by nations that all humans deserve and is entitled to basic human rights.
Across the world, basic human rights have been infringed upon due to political status, race, sex, religion, and several other factors. However, this declaration was put into place to protect and provide awareness to all human rights. Providing awareness and attention to this matter is crucial and much needed in society, all around the world. People possess the ability to speak and use their voice to shut down an invalid situation, redirect, and inform others when an injustice is occurring. Productive communication and more involvement from each person can go a long way.
To learn more on Universal Human Rights, feel free to visit the website and/or view the shared video.
Human Rights Day | United Nations
Hanukkah means “dedication” and commemorates the miracle of light that occurred when Judah rededicated the holy Temple in Jerusalem to the Hebrew God.
After Alexander the Great’s rule ended with his death in 323 BC, a century of feuding followed. Those who were victorious, the Seleucids, attempted to exert their influence through the spread of Greek culture across the region of Judea. Judah’s family was one of Jewish faith in Judea, and they saw the Seleucids capture the holy Temple of Jerusalem. The Seleucids even outlawed the Jewish religion, ordering Jews to worship Greek gods instead. A rebellion broke out in response. Following the death of Judah’s father, Judah led his people to many victories. He even won back Jerusalem and restored the holy Temple.
The story goes that the Seleucids only left one vial of oil intact, which was only enough to light the Temple’s candelabrum for one day, but it burned for a full eight days. This gave the Judeans enough time to secure more oil. This began the tradition of lighting the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown.
This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Wednesday, December 25th and ends the following Thursday, January 2nd. Often called “The Festival of Lights,” this holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, playing of games, giving of gifts, and singing of music. One of the favorite foods is potato latkes (pancakes) or jelly donuts, which are both another reminder of the miracle of the oil through the smells and tastes of it that go through both foods.
Yule is a pagan holiday that celebrates the winter solstice, and the roots of the holiday have both Norse and Celtic traditions intertwined. This year, Yule is from Saturday, December 21st (the winter solstice) through Wednesday, January 1st.
Many believe that Yule celebrations began as a Norse festival called jol with themes of light, fire, and feasting. Celtic legend inspires reenactments of the battle between the Holly King, which represents darkness, and the Oak King, which represents light.
Some ways to historically celebrate Yule are with the Yule log or with the Yule goat. The Yule log is a large log that is burned throughout the entire multiday festival, for as many as twelve days, or to bake a roulade-style cake decorated to look like a log. The Yule goat is a large goat constructed out of straw as a tribute to Thor, who was said to ride in a chariot pulled by goats.
To many contemporary pagans, Yule is celebrated with a ritual as a return of the sun and the rebirth of the lengthening of the days, reflecting upon this time as one of renewal, reflection, and hope. Yule logs are still utilized as a focal point, symbolizing the return of the warmth and light of the sun. Decorations such as evergreen wreaths, holly, and mistletoe are part of the common adornments. Rituals honoring death and rebirth happen during this time, acknowledging the cyclical nature of life. The generosity of many ancient winter celebrations continues with the exchanging of gifts as well.
Yule is often seen as a way to bridge the past and the present with its vibrant festivities, with feasting, rituals, and celebration.
Systems strives to be a welcoming and inclusive community for the people we serve and all who work here. Below we have listed several religious and secular holidays, monthly observances and culturally significant days.
While we try to be as inclusive as possible, we may have missed an important day.Please reach out to the marketing team at marketing@sui.org to let us know about it.
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January 1: New Year’s Day
January 4: National Braille Day
January 7: Coptic Orthodox Christmas
January 15: World Religion Day
January 16: Martin Luther King Jr., Day
January 25: Mahayana New Year
January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Monthly Observances: Black History Month
February 8: Lailat al Miraj (Islam)
February 10: Chinese New Year
February 13: International Epilepsy Day
February 15: Ash Wednesday (Christian)
February 15: Nirvana Day (Buddhist)
February 20: World Day of Social Justice
Monthly Observances: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Ethnic Equality Month, National Women’s History Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month
March 8: International Women’s Day
March 11: Ramadan begins (Islam)
March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
March 24: Palm Sunday (Christian)
March 25: Holi (Hindu)
March 29: Good Friday (Christian)
March 31: Easter (Christian)
March 30: World Bipolar Day
March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
Monthly Observances: Arab-American Heritage Month, Autism Awareness Month, Celebrate Diversity Month, National Volunteer Month
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
April 6: Laylat al-Qadr (Muslim)
April 9-12: Eid-al-Fitr/End of Ramadan (Muslim)
April 14: National Day of Silence (LGBTQ+)
April 21: Start of Ridvan (Baha’i)
April 22-30: Passover (Jewish)
Monthly Observances: Haitian Heritage Month, Indian Heritage Month, Jewish-American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, National Asian American and South Pacific Islander Heritage Month, South Asian American Heritage Month, National Mobility Month, Prader Willi Syndrome Awareness Month, National Mobility Month
May 17: International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
May 21: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
May 23: Declaration of the Bab (Baha’i)
May 29: Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
May 29: Memorial Day
Monthly Observances: National Caribbean American Heritage Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Pride Month
June 19: Juneteenth
June 21: Litha, Summer Solstice (Pagan)
June 28: Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
Monthly Observances: French-American Heritage Month
July 4: Independence Day
July 9: Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i)
July 19: Muharram Islamic New Year
July 26: National Disability Independence Day
Monthly Observances: National Civility Month
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
August 26: Women’s Equality Day
Monthly Observances: Hispanic Heritage Month, Suicide Prevention Month
September 4: Labor Day
September 5: International Day of Charity
September 6/7: Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
September 15: International Day of Democracy
September 22: National Native American Day
September 24: Yom Kippur (Jewish)
September 29: Sukkot (Jewish)
Monthly Observances: Filipino-American Heritage Month, German-American Heritage Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, Polish-American Heritage Month, LGBTQ+ History Month
October 2: International Day of Nonviolence
October 9: National Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 10: World Mental Health Day
October 15: Navratri begins (Hindu)
October 16: Birth of the Bab (Baha’i)
October 19: Spirit Day (LGBTQ+ and anti-bullying)
October 20: Sikh Holy Day
October 22: International Stuttering Awareness Day
October 25: Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
October 31: Halloween
Monthly Observances: Movember (Awareness of Men’s Health), National Native American, American Heritage Month
November 1: All Saints Day (Roman Catholic)
November 2: All Souls Day
November 9: Diwali (Hindu)
November 11: Veterans Day
November 19: International Men’s Day
November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 23: Thanksgiving
November 25: Day of the Covenant (Baha’i)
November 27: Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha (Baha’i)
Monthly Observances: Universal Human Rights Month
December 3: International Day for People with Disabilities
December 7/8: Hanukkah (Jewish)
December 10: International Human Rights Day
December 21: Yule Winter Solstice (Pagan)
December 25: Christmas (Christian)
December 26: Kwanzaa
December 31: New Year’s Eve
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