Military veteran fired-Issues: Discrimination, nursing in uniform, attack on women and poor military leadership.

Photo - Brynja Sigurdardottir Facebook page, from "strollerderby" http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2012/05/31/photo-of-military-moms-breastfeeding-causes-controversy-although-im-not-sure-why/

A recent photo has resulted in the photographers employer firing the photographer. The photography depicts nursing military mothers, in uniform, providing food for their child. More on the story: http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/woman-behind-controversial-military-breastfeeding-photo-fired-her-164900839.html

A related story concerning the nursing mothers photographed. Nursing mothers reprimanded, military officials claim photographs and related press releases concerning the issue is political campaigning in uniform which is illegal: "Terran Echegoyen-McCabe, a member of the Air National Guard, was photographed in uniform nursing her 10-month-old twin daughters. Sitting next to her, also nursing, is Christina Luna. Both Luna and Echegoyen-McCabe live and work at the Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane." Link to the story: http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0601/Breastfeeding-moms-in-military-uniforms-reprimanded-video

ABC NEWS VIDEO about issue.

National Equality Observance Themes, Courtesy of Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Institute-DEOMI

Americans represent many cultures and backgrounds, celebrate our diversity.

National Observance Themes	Date	Source/Theme
Martin Luther King’s Birthday	16 January 2012	National and Department of Defense USD (P&R) Theme  Source: The King Center  Remember! Celebrate! Act!  A Day On, Not A Day Off!! (This theme does not change.)
African American/Black History Month	1-29 February 2012	National and Department of Defense USD (P&R) Theme  Source: Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)  Black Women in American Culture and History
Women’s History Month	1-31 March 2012	National and Department of Defense USD (P&R) Theme  Source: Women’s History Project  Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment
Holocaust Remembrance Day  Days of Remembrance	19 April 2012  15-22 April 2012	National and Department of Defense USD (P&R) Theme  Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum  Choosing to Act: Stories of Rescue
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month	1-31 May 2012	National and Department of Defense USD (P&R) Theme  Source: Federal Asian Pacific American Council  Striving for Excellence in Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion
Women’s Equality Day	26 August 2012	National and Department of Defense USD (P&R) Theme  Source: Women’s History Project  Celebrating Women's Right to Vote (This theme does not change.)
Hispanic Heritage Month	15 September-  15 October 2012	National and Department of Defense USD (P&R) Theme  Source: National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers  Diversity United, Building America’s Future Today
National Disability Employment Awareness Month	1-31 October 2012	National and Department of Defense USD (P&R) Theme  Source: Department of Labor  A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?
National American Indian Heritage Month	1-30 November 2012	Department of Defense USD (P&R) Theme  Source: Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE)  Serving Our People, Serving Our Nations: Native Visions for Future Generations

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is sexual assault awareness month, Presidential Proclamation: NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH, 2012 - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATION - "Though we have come far in the fight to reduce sexual violence, the prevalence of sexual assault remains an affront to our national conscience that we cannot ignore.  This month, we stand with survivors of sexual assault, join together to break the silence, and recommit to ending this devastating crime." Read more at www.WhiteHouse.gov/1is2many  and   National Sexual violence Research Center

Dr. Martin Luther King Assassinated 44 Years Ago Today

"Freedom Democracy and opportunity for all" - "Dr. King championed a movement that draws fully from the deep well of America's potential for freedom, opportunity, and justice. His vision of America is captured in his message of hope and possibility for a future anchored in dignity, sensitivity, and mutual respect; a message that challenges each of us to recognize that America's true strength lies in its diversity of talents. The vision of a memorial in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. is one that captures the essence of his message, a message in which he so eloquently affirms the commanding tenants of the American Dream — Freedom, Democracy and Opportunity for All; a noble quest that gained him the Nobel Peace Prize and one that continues to influence people and societies throughout the world. Upon reflection, we are reminded that Dr. King's lifelong dedication to the idea of achieving human dignity through global relationships of well being has served to instill a broader and deeper sense of duty within each of us— a duty to be both responsible citizens and conscientious stewards of freedom and democracy." The Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial