PA SENATE DEMOCRATS
Features
PA Senate Democrats are excited to showcase some of the things we have been doing. From highlighting specific issues, to hosting events and special projects, to stressing the importance of Women’s History Month, to saluting our brave soldiers, you can count on us to bring the important news and issues to the forefront. This section provides information on our work.
Recovery Month
September is Recovery Month, a celebration of the power and hope of recovery. Millions of Americans battle addiction each year. Yet many don’t realize, addiction is a family disease. It affects everyone close to it, not just the individual with the substance use disorder. Sustained recovery from a substance use disorder requires everyone who has been impacted- family, friends, loved ones- to be part of the healing process and ongoing management of recovery.
National Hispanic Heritage
September 15th to October 15th is designated as National Hispanic Heritage Month. The month-long designation is a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Hispanic American. There are currently about 896,000 Hispanic Americans living in Pennsylvania, contributing to what makes this commonwealth thrive. The PA Senate Democrats are committed to recognizing the specific needs and issues facing the Latino community.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a public health campaign during October every year to increase awareness and to raise funds for researching the cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of the disease. Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer in women; unfortunately, almost 1 in 8 women in the US will get breast cancer, but most women can survive if it is found and treated early.
Domestic Violence Awareness
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for advocates, survivors and supporters to raise awareness and education about the prevalence of domestic violence in the United States and how everyone can help address the issue. It’s likely everyone knows someone who has been impacted by domestic violence, making it important for everyone to know how to help those in need and reduce stigma about the issue.
Earth Day
April 22nd is Earth Day, a global celebration of our planet. Our planet is the foundation of life as we know it- we should all do our part to care for the earth and the tremendous natural resources it provides. Let’s all take steps to make this planet a better place and invest in a healthy future. Whether that’s investing money, time, or encouraging others to get involved, there’s many ways to take action and ensure a sustainable future for the environment and all living things that rely on it.
LGBT Pride
June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. In the United States, the last Sunday in June was originally celebrated as “Gay Pride Day”. Now, major cities across the country have extended this day into a month-long celebration, including parades, picnics, parties, concerts, and more.
Sexual Assault Awareness
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The #MeToo Movement has shown us that sexual harassment in the workplace is far more expansive and complex than many of us realized. We are working with the Governor and the House to craft a comprehensive package that studies sexual harassment, prevents it in the future, and protects its victims in the meantime.
Fair Housing
National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act, a national law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, and gender. The Act was passed in in 1968 and amended in 1988 to include protections for people with disabilities and families with children.
Women’s History
March is Women’s History Month and we will be celebrating women from all walks of life throughout the month. We will be highlighting famous female Pennsylvanians who made important contributions to our state and our history, women from PA who are responsible for significant “firsts” for our commonwealth and women who are currently making big impacts in our communities.
MLK Day of Service
We honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in the National Day of Service on
the third Monday of January. Local acts of service honor Dr. King’s vision for equitable communities and an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood. As we celebrate the life, legacy, and vision of Dr. King, we’re reminded we can all play a part in building a peaceful, just world.
Mental Health Awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is an issue that can touch anyone’s life. Whether you yourself have struggled with mental health, or know a friend, family member or loved one who has needed support, it’s clear that mental health services are an integral part of overall health and wellness.
Military Appreciation
Declared by Congress in 1999, May was selected National Military Appreciation Month as a month-long observance honoring the sacrifices of the United States Armed Forces. Pennsylvania has a long and proud military history. Today, we are home to nearly one million veterans and we have a 19,000-member Pennsylvania National Guard.
National Veterans and Military Families Month
The veterans of the United States are a representation of the best of our country. To show our thanks for all that they give, we celebrate National Veterans and Military Families Month every year during the month of November. During this time, we recognize veterans, military families, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service.
Women’s Equality Day
August 26th is Women’s Equality Day! The day commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment, a historic achievement for women’s rights and equality in our democracy. On this day, we celebrate the trailblazers, activists and advocates who paved the way for women to continue making social, economic, cultural and political achievements. The certification of the 19th Amendment did not guarantee the right to vote for all women, but it did represent forward momentum in removing gender as a barrier to voting.
Redistricting
Redistricting is the process by which the boundaries of elective districts are periodically redrawn to maintain equal representation on the basis of population. Article 1, Section 2, of the United States Constitution requires that a Census be taken every 10 years for the purpose of apportioning the United States House of Representatives.
Election Access and Reform
The integrity of our entire system of government depends on the integrity of our elections. The process for electing our public officials has to be fair, accessible and dependable. No matter where you live or what party you’re registered with, you should have unbridled access to the ballot box.
Portraits of PA
Portraits of PA is a rotating photo gallery produced by the PA Senate Democrats. We aim to connect with Pennsylvanians on a deeper level to explore issues that impact their daily lives. These are your neighbors, your family, your friends, your community. By bringing these issues to life, and sharing these stories, we hope to create real, meaningful and lasting change.
Black History
February is Black History Month. “Future Faces of Black History”. Every February, we honor the history, achievements, and legacies of black Americans during Black History Month. The month is an important time to put focus on education and recognition of the tremendous impact African Americans’ have had in our country and commonwealth throughout history.
Financial Freedom for Working Families
PA Senate Democrats, PA Treasurer Joe Torsella, and tax & financial specialists traveled the state to help you find money that you’re entitled to. Experts were on hand to help with tax information, heating assistance, college savings, unclaimed property and much more! We are so happy to have been able to help so many people around the state!
ACA Mobile Enrollment Tour
When we heard that healthcare for Pennsylvanians was under threat, we quickly organized a statewide ACA mobile enrollment tour and traveled the state to spread awareness and increase enrollment. We were able to meet with, educate and enroll hundreds of folks. It was an amazing opportunity to meet with people in many different walks of life to hear their stories, learn what healthcare means to them, and ultimately, make sure they were covered for 2018.
Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued more than two and a half years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln. The holiday is also called “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.”