Our UC Davis community is made up of people from all over the globe, representing many cultures, customs, and experiences. In support of our diverse community we will recognize some of the observances happening each month (presented in no particular order). 

You don't have to be a member of a particular community to participate in celebrating many of the observances.  If you are interested in learning more, we invite you to connect with campus programs, attend events, and ask questions.

If you are observing/celebrating this month, we hope the experience is joyful and meaningful.

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Women's History Month

Women’s History Month (March 1-31) celebrates the contributions of women to U.S. history. The observance serves to preserve women’s history milestones, which are often underappreciated, forgotten, or erased—even today. Women’s history month presents an opportunity to affirm women’s humanity and value and acknowledge women’s central role in shaping (and re-imagining) society.

The 2024 Women’s History Month theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” This theme is intended to recognize women who are leading the work to eliminate bias and discrimination. They are questioning the status quo, evaluating existing social policies and practices that cause harm, and developing programs intended to increase (self and other) awareness and address injustices. This work has the power to shift the future and requires remarkable courage. This Women’s History Month we celebrate DEI trailblazers.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the Islamic holy month of fasting. It will be observed March 10 – April 9. For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. During this month, Muslims fast from eating and drinking (even water) daily from dawn to dusk. The daily fast is broken after the sunset prayer with a meal called iftar. The meal is often shared with family and friends, and traditionally begins with eating a date to break the fast. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr, the “Feast of Fast-Breaking.”

Ramadan is a holy season and a celebration. Observing Muslims spend time in solitary reflection and in community. In essence, Ramadan is an invitation to examine one’s relationship to consumerism and consumption, one’s body, and to community. Fasting from consumption provides space to reflect on values, priorities, and living a meaningful, balanced life.

Nowruz

Nowruz, the Persian New Year is on March 19. It is a secular holiday that celebrates the arrival of spring and new beginnings. The focus of the holiday is on fostering peace, solidarity within communities, reconciliation, and neighborliness. Nowruz is celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide.

Nowruz is recognized by the United Nations as a cultural tradition due to its significant role in promoting relationships based on mutual respect, peace, and neighborliness among peoples and living in harmony with nature. Nowruz reminds us of the need to commit to social justice, affirm the dignity of all people, work to establish a more inclusive, peaceful world, and protect the planet for the good of all.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday, the most important Christian holiday, will be observed on March 31. The holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is preceded by Lent—a 40-day period of atonement through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—and Holy Week. Each branch of Christianity has its own liturgical rituals for Easter and the Easter Season lasts up to 50 days in some traditions.

Christians are called to new life—from darkness to light—on Easter Sunday. Easter is a time of great joy and faith.

Transgender Day of Visibility

Transgender Day of Visibility is on March 31. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of transgender and gender nonconforming people and their courage to live openly and authentically. Transgender Day of Visibility is also a day to raise awareness of the ongoing marginalization, discrimination, hardship, and violence experienced by people in the transgender community.

While progress has been made to secure the fundamental human rights of transgender people, their safety is continually threatened. The more social identities a transgender person identifies with, the more vulnerable they are to discrimination, oppression, and violence. Black transgender women, for example, are especially vulnerable to hostility and violence.

For transgender people, living their truth may be a threat to their very existence. Transgender Day of Visibility reminds us of how necessary it is for transgender people to be seen and have their lived experiences known. The observance also offers a sobering reminder of the work there is to do to create a more equitable, safe world in which transgender people can live openly and thrive.

César Chávez Day

César Chávez Day is on March 31. The holiday celebrates César Chávez’s life and work as a humanitarian, civil rights activist, and community organizer. He founded the National Farm Workers Association and dedicated his life to improving the lives of farmworkers. He brought national attention to the struggles and suffering of farmworkers and advocated for “the rights of people of color to earn, live, and work with dignity and fairness.”

César Chávez called his life’s work la causa (the cause). He knew firsthand what it was to be a poor and powerless worker and understood a movement was needed to reform labor and economic injustices. Together with allies like Dolores Huerta and Larry Itliong, César Chávez secured rights for farmworkers to unionize and negotiate for better wages and safer working conditions. His motto “Si se puede!” (Yes, it can be done!) continues to inspire civil rights advocacy work in the U.S. and other countries.

César Chávez believed that education should culminate in service to others. May we be inspired by his legacy to make the spaces we inhabit and our world a better place for all.