Posts by vlacapra
Ada Lovelace (b. Dec. 10)
December 10 marks the 209th anniversary of the birth of Ada Lovelace. Often referred to as the “first computer programmer,” Lovelace was known for her contributions working on the Analytical Engine, one of the first mechanical computers. If you perform computational analysis as part of your work at WHOI—or if you’re simply curious to learn more…
Read MoreBlack in Marine Science Week (Dec. 1–7)
The second annual Black in Marine Science (BIMS) Week will take place Dec. 1–7 in San Diego, Calif. This “unforgettable professional growth and wellness retreat” includes a full schedule of networking events, brainstorming sessions, and team-building activities. This year’s keynote speaker is geographer and oceanographer Dawn Wright (aka @DeepSeaDawn), the Chief Scientist of the Environmental…
Read MoreNational Day of Mourning (Nov. 28)
Since 1970, the United American Indians of New England have observed a National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving Day. This Thursday, November 28, from 12-3pm, supporters are invited to a demonstration and march through downtown Plymouth, the site of the mythologized First Thanksgiving. Indigenous speakers will open the event at Cole’s Hill, a public park…
Read MoreTransgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20)
Observed every year on November 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) honors the memory of transgender people killed in anti-trans violence. Last year (Oct. 1, 2022 – Sep. 30, 2023), 321 trans and gender diverse people were reported murdered worldwide, according to tracking by the trans rights and wellbeing organization TGEU (Transgender Europe). The true…
Read MoreVeteran’s Day (Nov. 11)
Shout out to WHOI veterans, past and present! In 1967, US Army Sergeant Arthur Lee Martin became the first African American to dive in the deep-sea submersible Alvin! In celebration of ALVIN’s 60th anniversary, Sgt. Martin came to WHOI during August’s Science Stroll to share insights from his long and successful career. Having faced significant…
Read MoreNative American Heritage Month
Every November, Native American Heritage Month honors the history, culture, and achievements of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Established in 1990, the month celebrates the contributions and rich heritage of Indigenous peoples throughout the country and invites everyone to deepen their understanding of Native communities through cultural events, supporting Native-owned businesses, learning about…
Read MoreDia de los Muertos (Nov. 1–2)
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time to remember, honor, and celebrate loved ones who have died. A holiday in Mexico, the tradition is marked across much of Latin America and the United States. The festivities span at least two days: Nov. 1, known as Día de los Inocentes (“Day of…
Read MoreAmilcar Cabral Centennial Conference (Oct. 25–26)
“Tell no lies, claim no easy victories” was the motto of pan-Africanist freedom fighter and agronomist Amilcar Cabral, who in the 1970s led independence movements in his native Guinea-Bissau (then Portuguese Guinea) and the Cape Verde Islands (where his parents were from). Join Bridgewater State University’s Pedro Pires Institute for Cape Verdean Studies and the…
Read MoreTalk on Wôpanâak language revival (Oct. 24)
The Wampanoag tribes, or “People of the First Light,” were among the first Indigenous Americans to lose their land—and language—to European colonists. But thanks to the efforts of Tribal linguists over the last 30 years, the Wôpanâak language has been revived. On Thursday, Oct. 24 from 5:30-6:30pm at Highfield Hall & Gardens (56 Highfield Drive,…
Read MoreIndigenous People’s Day (Oct. 14)
Indigenous People’s Day celebrates the histories and cultures of the numerous Indigenous peoples who have lived in the Americas for thousands of years. It also recognizes and acknowledges that we still have a long way to go to address the history of erasure, dispossession, and violence against America’s first inhabitants. Unlike Columbus Day, which occurs…
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