HarvardWIT+
We aim to develop an IT community at Harvard that is committed to increasing representation, retention, and advancement of marginalized genders. We achieve this mission through education and awareness, community building, and career development.
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Community Features
May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
This annual month-long event is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions and achievements of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
Given the vast diversity of the AAPI community, it’s important to recognize that the AAPI umbrella is not a monolith.
During May, it’s important to give our attention to the concerns and needs of the AAPI community and find long-term ways to support them.
Read this comprehensive list of resources from Stop AAPI Hate. From educational materials to a template you can use to contact your local lawmakers, this list is a great asset for both members and allies of the AAPI community.
May 1st, May Day
May Day has been a traditional day of celebration for centuries, with some of the earliest appearing in pre-Christian times. One of the more popular rituals was harvesting flowers and giving them to neighbors and strangers in cone-shaped baskets. These May Baskets become more commonly known as May Day Baskets. The current tradition is observed by hanging a cone-shaped basket full of flowers or other gifts on the outside doorknob, then knocking or ringing the doorbell and running away.
May Day has ancient roots dating back to Celtic traditions. The spring equinox beckoned the coming of warmer days and called for celebrations filled with rituals that ensured fertile crops and livestock. Many of the practices included dances, songs, flowers, and other traditions lost to time.
May 13: National Women’s Checkup Day
National Women’s Checkup Day on the second Monday in May each year focuses on the importance of regular routine visits for women. Routine health checkups provide an opportunity to catch problems before they become unmanageable. Speaking with your physician about risk factors, early signs and symptoms and concerns can help to alleviate minor daily issues and identify issues to watch. Additionally, your physician can recommend screenings and order baseline tests that can be used for comparison at a later time.
Yearly well-woman visits are important and should include discussions of your health habits and family history, setting health goals, and scheduling or receiving screenings or necessary exams. Screening would include blood pressure, cholesterol, cervical cancer, and others.