May 1-31 Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month 
A rather broad term, AAPI encompasses
all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The AAPI community still struggles to break the stereotypes that have limited equal opportunity.
   In 2009, President Obama signed an executive order that restored the White House Initiative on Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities to address concerns in those populations. Learn more.

   This year, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center is taking the celebration to a new level with engaging museum events, groundbreaking arts gatherings, and innovative digital projects. Their theme, "I Am Beyond," captures the aspirations of the American spirit and how the AAPI community has always sought to excel beyond the challenges presented to them.
 
May 15   International Year of the Family
In 1994, the U.N. declared the International Year of the Family (IYF). This 20-year milestone offers an opportunity take stock in recent trends.
   As people struggle to overcome poverty and adequately provide for their younger and older family members, the difficulty of reconciling work, family responsibilities, and inter-generational bonds remains a worldwide challenge.
   In response, the IYF will focus on exploring family-oriented strategies confronting poverty and ensuring work-family balance.  Learn more.

 
May 28  Amnesty International Day 
In May 1961, Peter Benenson, a British lawyer, published his article "The Forgotten Prisoners" in a London newspaper. Benenson said that he was moved to write the article after learning about two Portuguese students who had been imprisoned for raising their wine glasses in a toast to freedom. His appeal was reprinted in newspapers across the world and led to the creation of Amnesty International.
   Any day, not just May 28, is a day to take action: attend a local meeting, make a donation, sign a petition or write a letter of hope to a prisoner of conscience. Your voice matters. Let it be heard!
Read Beneson article.

  

We thank the City of Salem for its ongoing financial support to the Salem Award Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. However, the majority of our funding comes through individual donations.

To support the Salem Award Foundation with a donation, please visit  www.salemaward.org.