March sparks ignite 4 Women's History, Music Education, Brain Injury, Nutrition and a host of other important health, education and social causes this month. Here are a few we highlight this month.
Throughout 2018, The National Women's History Project will honor 15 outstanding women that have shaped America's history and our future. The Honorees were selected for their unrelenting and inspirational persistence in fighting all forms of discrimination against women and girls. These women refused to be silenced and their lives demonstrate the power of voice, of taking action, and of believing that meaningful and lasting change is possible in our democratic society.
While the concept began in the 1970s, it wasn't until 1980 when President Jimmy Carter declared a proclamation. By 1987, the advocacy efforts came to fruition when Congress declared March as National Women's History Month in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: March 8th is the annual INTERNATIONAL WOMAN'S DAY/strong> — A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Socially Sparked News will have more details on the upcoming March 8th events leading up to the Day, so stay tuned.
Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM®) is the annual celebration during March which engages music educators, students and communities from around the country in promoting the benefits of high quality music education programs in schools.
This year's theme is 'Music Connects Us." Now in it's 33rd year, MIOSM is organized by National Association for Music Education (NAFME), among the world's largest arts education organizations and the only association that addresses all aspects of music education.
At a time when funding for the arts and school funding for arts programs looms large, advocacy initiatives like MIOSM could not be more important than now.
State music education associations are conducting their own advocacy days this spring at state capitols to support music education for all students. Ensembles are performing at their state capitols and local communities to demonstrate the importance of music education.
Brain Injury Awareness Month – The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) leads the nation in observing the month by conducting an awareness campaign in March each year.
The theme for the 2018 to 2020 campaign is Change Your Mind. This campaign provides a platform for educating the general public about the incidence of brain injury and the needs of people with brain injuries and their families. The campaign also lends itself to outreach within the brain injury community to de-stigmatize the injury, empower those who have survived, and promote the many types of support that are available.
Founded in 1980, the Brain Injury Association of America is the oldest, largest and only nationwide brain injury advocacy organization in the U.S. As the voice of brain injury, BIAA provides help, hope and healing for the millions of Americans who sustain this life-altering, sometimes devastating, injury.
March sparks ignite for many other awareness initiatives this month including for Colorectal Cancer and Nutrition.