Celebrate Italian, Polish and Native American Heritage in October

DIVERSITY PROGRAM INCLUSION COUNCIL OCTOBER 2012 NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2012 CREATING DIVERSITY AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE

October Celebrations Yes, you heard me, the holidays are just around the corner…Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. They are coming quick, so let’s get the ball rolling. World Vegetarian Day October 1, 2012 World Vegetarian Day, October 1, is the annual kick-off of Vegetarian Awareness Month. Make a difference this October by informing others about the benefits of vegetarianism. United Nations Day October 24, 2012 The world's population has reached over 9 billion. The UN Day was established to highlight the aims and achievements of the United Nations. The day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. The annual day has occurred since 1948. Halloween October 31, 2012 Halloween is a secular holiday combining vestiges of traditional harvest festival celebrations with customs more specific to the occasion such as costume wearing, trick-or-treating, pranksterism, and decorations based on imagery of death and the supernatural. Have a safe and Happy Halloween. Don’t eat too much candy!

Italian American Heritage Month Every year the U.S. president signs an executive order designating the month of October as Nat ional I ta l ian American Heritage Month. Coinciding with the festivit ies surrounding Columbus Day, the proclamation is recognition of the many achievements, contributions, and successes of Americans of Italian descent as well as Italians in America. Federico Fellini, the movie director, once said that "language is culture and culture is the language," and nowhere is this more true than in Italy.

Creating Diversity Awareness in the Workplace October 2012 Newsletter

The Staff Management | SMX DPIC includes: Lupe Gonzalez, Katie Smith, Roxanne Ramoutar, Avery Yancey, Dayna Corona, Jessica Lewis, Justin Schwartz, Robert Cook, Maurice Proffit and Lloyd Weathers

AMERICAN COLUMBUS CONTRIBUTIONS CULTURE FESTIVITIES

HERITAGE HISTORY INDIAN ITALIAN LANGUAGE

NATIVE OCTOBER POLISH RECOGNITION SIGNIFICANT

DIVERSITY WORD SEARCH

Columbus Day October 8, 2012 Columbus Day was first celebrated on October 12, 1792 to honor the day Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492. One hundred years later, it was celebrated again at the urging of President Benjamin Harrison. Since 1920, it has been celebrated annually and, in 1971, became a federal legal holiday to be celebrated on the second Monday in October. Many Latin American countries celebrate this day as Da de la Raza (Day of the Race). This day celebrates the Spanish heritage of the Latin American peoples and includes brightly colored fiestas.

Polish American Heritage Month The concept of designating a special month in which to celebrate our heritage was begun in Pennsylvania in 1981 at the suggestion of Michael Blichasz, a Polish American activist in Philadelphia. At that time, August was designated Polish American Heritage Month and it was only celebrated in Pennsylvania. However, in 1986, Blichasz made a proposal at a national PAC meeting that Heritage Month be celebrated nation wide. His proposal was adopted, however, the month was changed to October, which coincides with the death of General Casimir Pulaski.

Native American Heritage Month What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month") have been issued each year since 1994.

DIVERSITY PROGRAM INCLUSION COUNCIL OCTOBER 2012 NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2012 CREATING DIVERSITY AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE DIVERSITY PROGRAM INCLUSION COUNCIL OCTOBER 2012 NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2012 CREATING DIVERSITY AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Pope John Paul II Probably the most famous Pole ever, Pope John Paul II was elected pope by the Catholic Church in 1978, he became the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. This pope modernized the papacy and spread his reach internationally through massive gatherings of Catholics and frequent consultations with heads of state. Roman Polanski, Director One of the most famous Polish directors and an Oscar winner. The story of Roman Polanski's life is as tortuous and full of incident and tragedy as one of his dark films. Polanski survived the Nazi atrocities committed in the Krakow ghetto, but lost his mother in a concentration camp gas chamber. He spent a large part of his life in the US and made several important films with top American actors, such as Chinatown (with Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston), and Rosemary’s Baby (with Mia Farrow). In 1969 he experienced another personal tragedy when his pregnant wife, Sharon Tate, was murdered by the Manson Family. In 1978 he fled to France where he has directed Frantic, Death and the Maiden, The Ninth Gate, The Pianist, and Oliver Twist (2005). Jane Krakowski, Actress/Singer, Ally McBeal Krystyna Janda, Actress, Man of Marble Stefanie Powers, Actress, Conservationist Michael Anthony, Musician, Van Halen Samuel Goldwyn, Legendary Film Producer Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi guitarist Loretta Swit, Actress, MASH

1. Polish War Hero From 1768 to 1771, Pulaski, who was born in Poland, fought against Russian and Prussian forces that were wielding enormous influence in Poland. But he was forced to leave Poland forever after being accused of plotting to assassinate the king of Poland. 2. Friend of Benjamin Franklin After he fled Poland, Pulaski traveled to Turkey, then ended up in France. There, he came to know Benjamin Franklin and began to learn about the then-young American Revolutionary War. Pulaski, who had fought for Poland's independence, was impressed by what Franklin described and decided to volunteer to help the American rebels. Franklin recommended him to George Washington 3. Brilliant Military Tactician Pulaski headed to America to help with the war effort, where he took part in several battles. In the 1777 battle of Brandywine, he is believed to have saved George Washington's life and uncovered a sneak attack by the British. His actions at Brandywine earned him a promotion to brigadier general. He was in charge of the first cavalry, giving him the nickname "Father of the American Cavalry." 4. Killed on the Battlefield Pulaski once said, "I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it." Indeed, he did die for it, falling in battle in Savannah, Ga., in 1779. He was struck by cannon fire while riding on a horse. 5. An Honorary American Citizen In 2009, Pulaski became just the seventh person to posthumously receive honorary American citizenship. He joins William Penn and Penn's wife, fellow Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette, Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa and Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish man who helped save Jews during the Holocaust.

Famous Polish People

Fat Thursday might sound strange to those of you who are used to the literal translation of the French term Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), but in Poland the last Thursday before Lent begins is just as gluttonous. Fat Thursday is especially popular in Poland and Catholic part of Germany. As the date is closely connected with Easter and beginning of the Lent, Fat Tuesday belongs to moveable feasts. The most popular sweets during Fat Thursday are "paczki” or "faworki.” Polish food is delicious! If you are wondering what the people of Poland typically eat, here is a list of some traditional Polish food.

Fat Tuesday Before Ash Wednesday, First Day of Lent

Squint Your Eyes (2002) Director: Andrzej Jakimowski Stars: Zbigniew Zamachowski, Ola Prószynska Synopsis: The story of a spirited ten-year-old girl who has run away from her proudly affluent parents in town and finds grudging refuge with the slightly slovenly caretaker of an abandoned farm, an ex-teacher.

Great Movies to Watch With celebrating Polish Heritage during the month, check out some movies that feature specific themes actors and social issues

The Pianist (2002) Director: Roman Polanski Stars: Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay Awards: Won 3 Oscars including Best Writing Synopsis: A Polish Jewish musician struggles to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto of World War II.

BIGOS. Bigos is a traditional stew (Hunter's Stew) and is considered to be the national dish of Poland. There are many different recipes and they may vary from region to region. Typically, Bigos includes sauerkraut, various meats and sausages, tomatoes, honey and mushrooms. PIEROGI. Pierogi are boiled dumplings stuffed with varying ingredients. After they are boiled, they are fried with butter and finely chopped onions. They can be filled with potato and cheese, mushrooms, and even fruit. GOLABKI. Cabbage rolls wrapped around minded pork or beef meat, chopped onions and rice. They are usually baked with a spicy tomato sauce. PACZKI. This is the Polish equivalent to a doughnut. It is a deep-fried piece of dough shaped into a flattened sphere and filled with fruit preserves. FAWORKI. Pastry Twist. This is a sweet, crispy fried pastry straw also known as a "chrust" of "Angel Wing." It resembles a twisted ribbon and like Paczki, is popular during Fat Thursday.

Who is Casmir Pulaski? Non-federal holiday observed in Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, and Michigan

www.polishmuseumofamerica.org The Polish Museum of America, one of the oldest and largest ethnic museums in the United States, offers visitors a range of exhibits, resources and activities related to Polish history, culture and heritage, as well as Polish American history. The museum is the “crown jewel” of the Polish American community. Established 75 years ago it has preserved and exhibited the history and culture of the Polish American community and our ancestral homeland – Poland. Its all-inclusive exhibits are both educational and entertaining. Its Library and extensive Archives have rendered invaluable services to historians, researchers, students and genealogists.

www.ampolinstitute.org The American Institute of Polish Culture, Inc., founded in 1972 by Mrs. Blanka A. Rosenstiel, is a nonprofit, non-sectarian, tax-exempt, Florida corporation. The aims of the Institute are twofold: first, to share with all Americans the rich heritage of Poland, which has contributed in important ways to Western civilization; second, to establish a center of educational facilities and resources for the encouragement and promotion of the scientific and aesthetic endeavors of Americans of Polish descent.


The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational foundation that promotes Italian American culture and heritage. NIAF serves as a resource on the Italian American community and has educational and youth programs including scholarships, grants, heritage travel, and mentoring. NIAF is also the voice for Italian Americans in Washington, DC and works closely with the Italian American Congressional Delegation and the White House. NIAF’s mission includes advancing US – Italy business, political, and cultural relations and has a business council that promotes networking with corporate leaders. To learn more about NIAF, visit: www.niaf.org

The Bank of America, the largest bank in the country, was established in 1904 by Amadeo Pietro ("A.P.") Giannini in San Francisco. Chef Boyardee, the man behind the nation's leading brand of ready-to-eat spaghetti dinners, pizza, sauce and pasta, was Ettore Boiardi, an Italian immigrant, who began as a chef's apprentice at age 11. The world's largest beauty supply distributor was started in 1972 when Michael H. Renzulli took over six stores in New Orleans. Now CEO and president of Sally Beauty Company, Renzulli has 2,150 stores in North America, Europe and Japan with $1 billion in sales. Tropicana was founded in 1947 by Anthony Rossi as a Florida fruit packaging company. Mr. Coffee, the best-selling coffee maker in the world, was invented by Vince Marotta. Two Italian Americans developed the American shopping mall, William Cafaro and Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. began building and operating neighborhood shopping centers in the 1940s. Italian Americans are at the helm of the U.S. book industry. Leonard Riggio is the founder and CEO of Barnes & Noble, the largest book store in the nation while Borders, the second largest book store chain in the U.S., is chaired by Robert DiRomualdo.

The Godfather Trilogy Director: Francis Ford Coppola Written by: Mario Puzo Stars: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Andy Garcia Awards: The series won 9 Oscars, out of a total of 29 nominations. Synopsis: The Godfather Trilogy is a crime drama film trilogy directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It is based on the novel by Mario Puzo about the fictional Corleone Mafia family.

Great Movies You Cannot Refuse Italian Heritage Month would not be complete without suggesting to watch the these great movies.

Known as "The Yankee Clipper," Joseph Paul DiMaggio, the son of Sicilian immigrants in California, had a 56-game hitting streak in 1941 which still stands as the longest in baseball history. One of baseball's greatest catchers, Yogi Berra, born Lawrence Peter Berra in Saint Louis, Missouri, played for 14 pennant-winning and 10 World Series winning clubs, a record no other player has matched. Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi led the Green Bay Packers to five National Football League (NFL) championships (between 1959 and 1967), the first and second Super Bowls (1967 and 1968), and three world titles during the 1960s. Rocky Marciano is the only undefeated heavyweight boxing champion in history. He retired in 1956 with a 49-0 record that counted 43 knockouts.

Hollywood's first sex symbol and the first "Latin Lover" of the silver screen was Rudolph Valentino. Frank Sinatra, the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-winning legend known as "The Voice" and "The Chairman of the Board," made more than 2,000 recordings, many movies, and numerous television and cabaret performances as well as raised millions of dollars for charities during his 60-year career. Italian American cartoonists have created some of the world's most popular animated characters including: Donald Duck, created by Alfred Tagliafero; Woody Woodpecker, a creation of Walter Lantz, (born "Lanza"); and Casper, the Friendly Ghost, the brainchild of Joseph Oriolo. The man behind Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, The Smurfs and Scooby-Doo is Joseph Barbera, director, producer, and co-founder of Hanna-Barbera Film Studios.

Louis Prima, a trumpeter, composer and band leader, successfully crossed the line between jazz to swing, then to R&B, and finally to rock n' roll. Four-time Academy Award and 20-time Grammy and Gold Record winner Henry Mancini is remembered for his classic "Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's. Among the many Italian Americans who popularized American songs here and abroad are Frank Sinatra; Vic Damone (Vito Farinola); Dean Martin ( Dino Crocetti); Tony Bennett (Anthony Benedetto); Frankie Laine (Frank Lo Vecchio), Perry Como, Frankie Avalon (Frank Avalone), Bobby Rydell (Roberto Ridarelli), Connie Francis (Concetta Franconero), Bobby Darin (Walden Cassotto), Joanie James (Joan Babbo) and Jon Bon Jovi.

Throughout U.S. history, Italian Americans have made significant contributions. There are too many to name them all, so here are a few listed below:

Over 5.4 million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 1992. There are nearly 15 million people who have identified themselves as Italian American in the 1990 U.S. census, the Population Division of the U.S. Census Bureau reports. The Census Bureau estimates, however, that 1 out of 10 Americans has some Italian blood, bringing the total number of Americans of Italian descent to 26 million. Italian Americans are the fifth largest ethnic group in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Italian Americans either make up 15% of the population or number more than 1 million in the following states: New York: 2,900,000 New Jersey: 1,500,000 Pennsylvania: 1,400,000 California: 1,500,000 Massachusetts: 845,000 Connecticut: 650,000 Rhode Island: 200,000 Italian Americans are also found in significant numbers in 15 other states, including Florida (800,000); Illinois (730,000), Ohio (640,000); Michigan (412,000); Texas (314,000) and Maryland (253,000).

A Culture Rich with Flavor, Taste and Style

Amerigo Vespucci (March 9, 1454 – February 22, 1512) was an Italian explorer, financier, navigator and cartographer who first demonstrated that Brazil and the West Indies did not represent Asia's eastern outskirts as initially conjectured from Columbus' voyages, but instead constituted an entirely separate landmass hitherto unknown to Afro-Eurasians. Colloquially referred to as the New World, this second super continent came to be termed "America", probably deriving its name from the feminized Latin version of Vespucci's first name. The U.S. was named after an Italian, the explorer and geographer Amerigo Vespucci.

Naming A Country


Anna Prieto-Sandoval Sycuan Tribal Elder 1934-2010 Anna Prieto Sandoval became chairwoman of the Sycuan tribe in 1972, the small, tight-knit group was poor and living in substandard housing. Under her leadership, the tribe opened the Sycuan Bingo Palace in 1983 and the thriving bingo hall was replaced by a vast casino in 1990. Casino cash built a needed clinic, a new church, a fire station and houses for tribe families. "Anna was ahead of her time," said Anthony Pico, former chairman of the Viejas tribe. He said Mrs. Sandoval’s boldness and vision led to improved conditions for many.

The Last of the Mohicans (1992) Director: Michael Mann Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe and Russell Means Awards: Won Oscar for Best Sound Synopsis: Three trappers protect a British Colonel's daughters In the midst of the French and Indian War.

Great Movies to Watch With celebrating Native American Heritage during the month, check out some movies that feature specific themes actors and social issues

Dances with Wolves (1990) Director: Michael Blake Stars: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene Awards: Won 7 Oscars Synopsis: Lt. John Dunbar, exiled to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Indians, making him an intolerable aberration in the military.

One of the very proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the "First Americans" and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kans., formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens. The year before this proclamation was issued, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On December 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. There is no record, however, of such a national day being proclaimed. The first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governor of New York. Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, legislators enacted such a day in 1919. Presently, several states have designated Columbus Day as Native American Day, but it continues to be a day we observe without any recognition as a national legal holiday. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month") have been issued each year since 1994.

Dream Catchers are one of the most fascinating traditions of Native Americans. The traditional dream catcher was intended to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams, while letting positive dreams through. The positive dreams would slip through the hole in the center of the dream catcher, and glide down the feathers to the sleeping person below. The negative dreams would get caught up in the web, and expire when the first rays of the sun struck them. The dream catcher has been a part of Native American culture for generations. One element of Native American dream catcher relates to the tradition of the hoop. Some Native Americans of North America held the hoop in the highest esteem, because it symbolized strength and unity. Many symbols started around the hoop, and one of these symbols is the dream catcher.

Native American Dances Dances have always been significant in the lives of Native Americans as both a common amusement and a solemn duty. Many dances played a vital role in religious rituals and other ceremonies; while others were held to guarantee the success of hunts, harvests, giving thanks, and other celebrations. Commonly, dances were held in a large structure or in an open field around a fire. Movements of the participants illustrated the purpose of the dance -- expressing prayer, victory, thanks, mythology and more. Sometimes a leader was chosen, on others, a specific individual, such as a war leader or medicine man would lead the dance. Many tribes danced only to the sound of a drum and their own voices; while others incorporated bells and rattles. Some dances included solos, while others included songs with a leader and chorus. Participants might include the entire tribe, or would specific to men, women, or families. In addition to public dances, there were also private and semi-public dances for healing, prayer, initiation, storytelling, and courting. • Fancy Dance • Ghost Dance • Gourd Dance • Grass Dance • Hoop Dance • Hopi Snake Dance • Rain Dance • Sun Dance • Stomp Dance • War Dance

Chief Seattle 1780-1866 Chief Si’ahl (Seattle) Chief Si’ahl (Seattle) is a famous 19th century American Indian chief of the Duwamish Tribe whose tribal ancestral homelands include the area known today as the City of Seattle. He is remembered for his eloquent Native American wisdom and ecological writings about humankind's responsibilities and respect for Native Americans' rights to their indigenous homelands.

Chief Joseph, Nez Percé 1840-1904 In his final years, Chief Joseph spoke eloquently against the injustices of U.S. Government policies and racial discrimination against Indigenous peoples and he held out hope that America's promise of freedom and equality would one day be fulfilled for Native Americans as well.

Chief American Horse, Wasicu Tasunke, Sioux Nation, was a chief during the Lakota Wars of the 1860s and 1870s. He was an influential figure for the education of Native American Indians within the Anglo-American educational system. American Horse, Sioux Wasicu Tasunke c. 1800-1876

Geronimo was a prominent leader of the Bedonkohe Apache who fought against Mexico and the United States for their expansion into Apache tribal lands for several decades during the Apache Wars. His Chiricahua name is often rendered as Goyathlay or Goyahkla. Geronimo, Apache 1829-1909

The great Lakota Indian warrior, Chief Sitting Bull, is perhaps best known in early American history as the chief who defeated General Custer in 1876 at the Battle of Little Bighorn. He was a Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux holy man who led his people during years of resistance to United States government policies. Chief Sitting Bull Lakota Nation, 1831-1890

Richard Milanovich Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians 1942-2012 Chairman Milanovich is a well-known Cahuilla tribal leader and tribal rights activist who helped usher in a new era for California American Indian tribes at the turn of the 21st century.

Geswanouth Slahoot Tsleil-Waututh First Nation 1899-1981 Chief Dan George (Indian name: Geswanouth Slahoot) is a famous 20th century Native American chief of the (Salish) Tsleil-Waututh Nation, a coastal indigenous First Nation Canadian Indian tribe located on the Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, North America. Chief Dan George was also a celebrated Hollywood actor nominated for an Academy Award, and a prolific writer and poet.

Celebrate Italian, Polish and Native American Heritage in October

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