April 2022 marks Diversity Month.  The HSHSL is celebrating with stories collected from the campus community as part of our Woven Stories: Out of many, we are one project. For some, like Oksana Mishler, RDH, MS, clinical assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, certain days and holidays can be hugely important for personal culture.  In the following story, Dr. Mishler shares the signifcance of International Women’s Day. 

The International Women’s Day in my native Russia is a national holiday. All but essential businesses are closed on March 8th, with festivities taking place in every household. Traditionally, this holiday is a celebration of femininity, with emphasis on female roles as mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, daughters, granddaughters, and friends. Every female – from an infant girl to an elderly woman – is honored with flowers and gifts on March 8th. Although, men are typically the responsible party, it is not uncommon for women to exchange gifts and celebrate each other.

What days are culturally significant to you? Is there a special tradtional around a holiday or celebration in your family?  The HSHSL wants to hear about it! We are still accepting stories for this project in the hopes of launching a digital and physical exhibit. Woven Stories aims to capture the cultural diversity of the individuals that make up UMB’s campus.  Share your own story to be part of the HSHSL’s project by submitting a photograph and brief description here.