AMS Fulfillment has a long and rewarding history of involvement with our local SCV community. We are so grateful for our relationships with community organizations as they inspire us, benefit the community and benefit us. Some of our past blogs have focused on our work with Single Mothers Outreach, Bridge to Home, SCV Sheriff’s Foundation, SCV Search and Rescue, various cancer drives, Senior Concerns, Pleasantville Industries, SCV Economic Development, Mayors Committee for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, S.T.R.E.A.M. and more. Click HERE for our AMS Blogs and News.
Now AMS has begun a new program, called the Multiplier Program, where we help our employees in their efforts to meet the needs of the community. We are proud of our employees who donate and volunteer, and through the Multiplier Program we encourage and support community involvement among our staff and alumni. The support that AMS provides can be in the form of additional volunteers or financial help or both.
We recently enjoyed our inaugural Multiplier Program event. AMS volunteers stepped in to help at an event on Friday, July 23rd at Bridge To Home, an organization that provides help, hope, and change for our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. AMS volunteers helped AMS alumni, Vaughn Gregory, utilize his mobile food service, “Hit Da Spot Backyard BBQ” in order to provide meals to 60 individuals, and AMS sponsored the cost of the meals.
As a B-Corp, AMS is committed to give back to our community and to our employees. We were excited and happy to Multiply Vaughn’s event at Bridge To Home.
Meals, in addition to hygiene products, are provided by Vaughn and “Hit Da Spot BBQ” to homeless shelters each month. “Hit Da Spot BBQ” proceeds have helped out Skid Row, Downtown LA. “Hit Da Spot BBQ” meets homeless people where they are, solving the hunger issue right now, wherever they are today. “Like a soup kitchen, but MUCH tastier!”
We encourage AMS employees and alumni, who are working within the community to help solve issues that they care about, to contact Samantha Hicks and the AMS Multiplier Program so that we can help multiply their efforts. Email: [email protected]
In this picture, we have AMS’ Operations Directors Keith E & Justin W, along with Keith’s little helper Korbin E.
“Hit Da Spot Backyard BBQ”; AMS Alumni Vaughn Gregory, along with his family.
Every year B The Change comes up with a ‘Best for the World’ list of B Corporations. AMS won a place on the list in 2018, making us proud and pleased indeed. About AMS, the organization said:
“While becoming a successful fulfillment company based just north of Los Angeles, AMS has discovered the benefits of employing a workforce of people facing life challenges. The company finds purpose in providing initial job opportunities, as well as skills training to take people beyond that first job.”
You can read our blog HERE. The B The Change article about AMS is HERE.
AMS has focused on workforce development for years, and our company culture is thriving because of it. In this blog we’ll focus on this year’s Best for the World winners who are being recognized for what they have done to benefit workers. Please enjoy the following from bthechange.com.
Best for the World Practices — From Around The World
“What does it actually look like in action to be Best for the World? Below is a short selection of examples from several regions where B Lab operates, highlighting the various ways in which B Corps are innovating for lasting, positive change around the globe.”
Sama, training data B Corp based in Kenya, recognized as Best for Workers
“Sama’s impact sourcing model provides training and job opportunities that pay a living wage to youth and women in East Africa. Through the combination of our leading technology platform and worker-training programs, we increase economic opportunity for those in underserved communities. Employees receive benefits including health insurance and paid new parent leave, and have the opportunity to build transferable skills through professional development courses.”
FAMA Investimentos, equity fund manager B Corp in Brazil, recognized as Best for Workers
“FAMA Investimentos is a people-based company. People are our best asset, being absolutely fundamental to our activity. Since we hired our first employee — more than 25 years ago — it has been our policy to distribute part of FAMA’s earnings. We are concerned about social mobility and continually encourage education: As an example, a female employee who was an elevator operator in our headquarters building is now one of the company’s main partners. We carry out individual performance reviews every six months and we have hired human resources consultancies to carry out an organizational climate survey every three years. All our employees, since 2005, must undergo an integrity and ethics test carried out by an external consultancy as part of the selection process, ensuring a climate of trust, respect and ethics in the work environment. It is not by chance that our turnover is very low, which is quite unusual for the sector in which we operate. During COVID, in addition to the formal commitment of not firing anyone, we hired people, made equipment for remote work available, and raised discretionary remuneration.”
Rowlison Knitwear, uniform and corporate wear B Corp in the United Kingdom, recognized as Best for Workers
“Rowlinson Knitwear is 100% employee owned, where all colleagues act as owners for the good of all our stakeholders. We pay tax-free profit-share to all, we pay 8% pension, provide interest-free loans, receive extra holidays, and demonstrate real care for each other. We pay the real living wage, and the lower-paid get paid more and the higher-paid are paid less than market rate. All colleagues participate in a vote of confidence in the managing director three times a year. We really care about the workers in our supply chain, mainly in Bangladesh and Egypt. We gift all the workers in our main supplier at Bangladesh industrial water filter machines so they and their families are healthier. We provide a female health education programme and we gift sanitary products to all female workers. In Egypt, we pay for weekly visits from a doctor and we ensure that the minimum pay level for all workers is much higher than local labour laws.”
Congratulations to the AMS Fulfillment Employees of the Month for June 2021! We are proud to honor the following members of our corporate family! Thank you Vickie R., Loretta R., Mary Anne T., Jesus N., Angie M., Elizabeth S., Jamie B. and Charles F.
In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. We know their value, and we respect and invest in our employees.
The following nominations demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond, and deserves Special Thanks! All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate & T-Shirt!
Vickie R., Client Services Specialist (06/22/1998)
New Castle, DE
Vickie is the unsung hero of Client Services in New Castle, taking care of so much and always asking if anyone needs any help. Her positive attitude and her willingness to participate in morale boosting exercises make it a delight to work with her. And let’s not forget 23 years of service!!
Loretta R., DFC Operator FT (03/06/2020)
New Holland, PA
Loretta is a phenomenal team player who is capable of assisting in any area of the operation. She has a great personality and is enjoyable to be around. Loretta works well with others in a team environment. She is a strong trainer who takes the time to show people how to do things correctly, and she always has a smile on her face.
Mary Anne T., Staff Accountant (11/30/2020)
HQ Administration, Valencia, CA
I Nominate Mary Anne T. for Employee of the Month because Mary Anne has been with AMS for less than a year, and she has proven to be a great addition to the team. She started as our Senior Billing Coordinator. Mary Anne is always willing to help others and take on additional job duties. Her attitude has allowed her to build a great rapport with colleagues and different departments within the organization. Due to her dedication and hard work, Mary Anne was recently promoted to Staff Accountant. Thank you, Mary Anne for all you do!
Jesus N., General Warehouse II F (11/23/2015)
HQ – Valencia, CA
I Nominate Jesus N. for June Employee of the Month because during a time that his department has been very busy, he has managed to step up and help a lot in his department. He works great with others and is always respectful of his peers. He is willing to teach others and goes the extra mile to make sure his tasks are completed before the end of the day. Jesus is a very hardworking employee and always willing to help and work in whatever department he is assigned for the day. He was a pleasure to work with on the receiving team and he has really earned the honor of employee of the month. Way to go Chuy!
Angie M., General Warehouse II F (03/20/2019)
WIL – Valencia, CA
I nominate Angie for June employee of the month because she always shows willingness to learn new things. She has outstanding commitment and her hard work shows. Angie has excellent attendance. She always tries her best to succeed in any task given to her, and that makes her an incredibly valued member of our team.
Elizabeth S., General Warehouse I (06/10/2021)
HAR – Valencia, CA
I Nominate Elizabeth for June Employee of the Month because she is a very hard worker. No matter what task she is given she gets it done correctly and In a very timely manner. Elizabeth gets along great with the team and is always ready to take on new tasks.
Jamie B., Field HR BP (06/21/2016)
WIT – Valencia, CA
I nominate Jamie for June EOM because she has been a phenomenal asset to the HR team in our Field HR role, to assist our warehouse leadership with time keeping, temp badging and employee questions. Jamie let me know a few months ago that she was studying to have a career in HR and once the position was approved, I reached out to her to apply!! She did, and interviewed well, and has been a great asset since her first day with us! We are short a team member in the field, and Jamie graciously and proactively stepped up to service all locations until we find a replacement person and partner in the field.
Charles F., Operations Lead (07/13/2015)
LIV – Valencia, CA
I Nominate Charles F. for June Employee of the Month. Charles is always super helpful and knowledgeable with all things within the shipping department. We can rely on him to assist the best he can with any question. Charles has a willingness to learn and shows excellent initiative when things need to be done. He brings new ideas and concerns to the table often, which is greatly appreciated. Charles makes our warehouse a much better place!
To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!
In this blog series we talk about the purpose of a B Corporation to do good for the world, and we put forward examples of businesses doing just that. This week we will look into what is being done to employ men and women who have been involved in the justice system.
A quick Wikipedia search tells us that the United States has the highest prison and jail population and the highest incarceration rate in the world. “According to the World Prison Population List the US held 21.0% of the world’s prisoners in 2015, even though the US represented only around 4.4 percent of the world’s population in 2015.”
We know that racism has played a role in this incredible imbalance and as a B Corporation and a company that hires a large number of workers, AMS Fulfillment is committed to make a difference in the arena of diversity, equity and inclusion.
AMS’ Chief Workforce Development Officer, Ken Wiseman, and other business leaders have been involved in the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Hiring Initiative which encourages businesses to actively hire members of the justice-involved community. This effort is needed in order to bring equity and repair past wrongs, as for many years individuals who had been incarcerated faced discrimination in hiring.
From a past blog on the subject we quote Ken as follows: “We have been hiring reentry individuals for several years and can attest to the dedication, reliability and incredible work ethic of our justice-involved employees.”
This week’s featured B Corporation is a staffing company that links people in recovery from substance abuse and reentry from jail or prison with construction companies that need workers – it’s a staffing company called Maine Works.
At Bcorporation.net we find a weekly list of B Corporations doing impressive work with the following introduction:
“The reckoning is where the real work begins: to rework a policy, redesign a process, or refine a product to avoid harm. Business leaders in the Certified B Corporation community are collaborating and innovating to amplify the positive impact of their work while learning from their successes and mistakes.
“From the pursuit of net zero emissions to the adoption of policies that remove systemic barriers, B Corps and their partners aim to change systems for good. This week’s articles include specific calls to action to help you be a part of the change.”
An Innovative Staffing Company Helps an Overlooked Labor Pool Fill Construction Needs B Corp MaineWorks Connects People in Transition with Jobs and Supportive Services
Margo Walsh knows the power of connections. She saw it for years in her work as a recruiter for a New York investment firm, a competitive field that had her visiting Ivy League schools and helping students envision their professional success. Now, she sees it as the leader of MaineWorks, an innovative staffing agency in Portland, Maine. MaineWorks links people in recovery from substance abuse and reentry from jail or prison with construction companies that need workers — an even more important pairing now amid growing labor shortages.
“That’s my superpower — to be able to hustle and meet everybody and put it together in this web,” Walsh says. “I always just relied on my capability of connecting. It’s a lot of work, and it’s a lot of connections, and I happen to really thrive in that.”
MaineWorks was born when Walsh decided to merge her professional experience as a recruiter with her volunteer experiences at a substance abuse clinic and the local county jail. In recovery herself, Walsh knows the importance of integrative recovery programs that support people as they make a fresh start. MaineWorks also is a business founded with a focus beyond profit, operating since 2013 as a Certified B Corporation that measures and values its social and environmental impact.
We’re approaching the biggest celebration of the Summer – July 4th – American Independence Day!! At AMS we are happy to look at our company and our employees and appreciate the progress that has been made in the US toward every one of us being included in this inspiring Declaration.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
We will look at some history and celebrate the fact that the concept of “all men” has evolved, through long and difficult battles, to actually include All Human Beings. We cannot say that the evolution is complete, as there are still battles to be won, but yes, here in the US and around the world we do see an inclusive and just movement taking place and we are proud to be a part of it as a corporate family and as a B Corporation.
“On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass gave a keynote address at an Independence Day celebration and asked, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Douglass was a powerful orator, often traveling six months out of the year to give lectures on abolition. His speech, given at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was held at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York. It was a scathing speech in which Douglass stated, “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine, You may rejoice, I must mourn.”
“In his speech, Douglass acknowledged the Founding Fathers of America, the architects of the Declaration of Independence, for their commitment to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness:”
“Fellow Citizens, I am not wanting in respect for the fathers of this republic. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men, too, great enough to give frame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great men. The point from which I am compelled to view them is not, certainly, the most favorable; and yet I cannot contemplate their great deeds with less than admiration. They were statesmen, patriots and heroes, and for the good they did, and the principles they contended for, I will unite with you to honor their memory.””
We also note that the Declaration did not say “all men and women.” An article from the National Archives blog asks, “Have you heard of the Declaration of Sentiments?” Here below is an excerpt from that article:
“The Declaration of Sentiments was written at the first women’s rights convention in American history at Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. Organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and other women’s rights and anti-slavery activists, the meeting attracted more than 300 participants including abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
“The language in the Declaration of Sentiments was inspired by the Declaration of Independence. In proclaiming that, “we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal,” the Declaration of Sentiments replaced colonists’ grievances against a tyrannical king with the injustices women endured. These included women’s inability to control property, stating “he has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns,” as well as severely limited educational and professional opportunities and—most controversially—the right to vote.”
We have come a long way toward individual freedom and democratic government, and yet there is much left to do. Happy Independence Day to ALL and let’s keep at it!
Our featured article for #21 in our series is subtitled “New B Corp Pursues Sustainability and supply chain empowerment.” That means the B Corporation not only pays attention to its own standards, but it favors ‘good for the world’ in establishing its supply chain. Since AMS Fulfillment is an integral part of the supply chain for our valued clients, we are proud to give them not only the value of great service, but also the value of our B Corporation commitment.
According to the Corporate Finance website, “Each stage of a supply chain is essentially a different industry, for example, raw material extraction and manufacturing. The supply chain enables a company to understand others that are involved in each of the stages, and thereby provides some insights on the attractiveness or competitiveness in industries the company might want to enter in the future.”
The B Corp concept of business being ‘good for the world’ is strengthening as business leaders understand the value of considering the environment, the employees and the community, and taking steps for the wellbeing of all.
The following article is about a company, based in Connecticut, that gives value to not only the health and sustainability of its products, but it also gives value to the individuals who supply their products. We hope you enjoy the article.
Helping Women One Soap at a Time
New B Corp Pursues Sustainability and Supply Chain Empowerment
“As a new member of the Certified B Corporation community, Atheava Ayurveda joins the global community of 4,000 esteemed companies that prioritize all stakeholders — the environment, community, workers, customers and shareholders— in their business practices and philosophy. Atheava, based in Connecticut, completed the rigorous B Impact Assessment and review process during the past year and became officially certified in April.
“Rohit Madan, the Founder of Atheava, says becoming a B Corp serves as validation of his mission to produce high-quality natural skin care products — hand soaps, hand sanitizer, hand wash, body wash and face wash — made in a sustainable manner as well as provide a dignified means of employment for rural women of India. Atheava’s main supplier is Neev Herbal Handmade Soaps, a very small business in the village of Hurlung, in the state of Jharkhand in eastern India. Neev Herbal Handmade Soaps, founded by Shikha Jain and her husband Anurag, is special in their production process as:
All products are handmade by local, rural women and incorporate vegetable oils (pure coconut, olive and mahua oils) and pure organic essential oils with no chemicals or artificial colors.
All products are made in small batches using a cold process method, which best preserves the beneficial qualities of herbal ingredients.
During the month of June we are asked to look at, consider, and take steps to correct a history of injustice. PRIDE month gives us the impetus to remember the past and value the struggle for respect and justice. It is also a time to celebrate the gains that have been made in our culture and honor the LGBT individuals who fought the fight for PRIDE.
AMS Fulfillment is very grateful to play a role in correcting the wrongs of the past in hiring, promotion, culture and all aspects of doing business in today’s world. The past needs to be corrected in the present and AMS is committed to be a leader and example in diversity, equity and inclusion.
We asked AMS’ Samantha Hicks, Sr. Administrator, Human Resources Benefits, what AMS has been focused upon during PRIDE Month.
“With the theme of “Unity in Diversity”, this year’s LBGT Pride Month seeks to celebrate the accomplishments, heroism, and stories of LBGT Community. Having a truly diverse company culture goes beyond bringing in people with physical differences. Diversity celebrates different attributes and backgrounds, not just race or gender, that gives someone original thoughts, perspectives and talents which enriches AMS culture.
“Each month, AMS offers a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion one-hour training for all employees to take. All employees are required to take this course, so please sign up and keep an eye out for your name on the pre-designated roster.”
AMS Fulfillment strives to create a corporate culture that is truly inclusive, and willing to give due respect to voices that have been historically excluded. We are a B Corporation, and as such we are committed to ‘B The Change’ for the better.
We encourage readers to learn about events that led to the PRIDE movement. While the Stonewall uprising didn’t start the gay rights movement, it was an event that led to new organizations and political gains. In 2016 President Obama designated the site of the riots and the surrounding streets a national monument in recognition of the area’s contribution to gay rights.
This year Father’s Day is going to have some extra ‘BANG’ as it coincides with the summer solstice – the longest day and the shortest night of the year. It’s coming up on Sunday June 20th.
We are so happy to honor the AMS Dads as we see them every day, in warehouses and offices, holding it down for their families and for their corporate family as well. AMS is home to some top notch Dads and we appreciate them! We wish to thank them for being the sunshine all year, every year. You deserve the longest day!! Happy Father’s Day from AMS – have fun!!
Father’s Day is celebrated annually on the third Sunday in June in the United States. It’s always interesting to see how a holiday came to be. For Father’s Day, the event that started the recognition of fathers was a tragic mining accident. The Farmers Almanac tells us that the first known Father’s Day service occurred in Fairmont, West Virginia, on July 5, 1908, after hundreds of men died in the worst mining accident in U.S. history. The Sunday service happened because of the efforts of Grace Golden Clayton, the daughter of a dedicated reverend.
Quoting from the article, “While missing her own dad, who had died in 1896, Mrs. Clayton wanted to honor the many fathers who had died in the mining explosion, which killed more than 360 men and boys, and left about 1,000 children fatherless. Although the Fairmont service was the first known to honor fathers, it did not turn into an annual event, nor was the idea promoted (a large July 4 celebration in Fairmont and a tragic young death from typhoid fever took over the news at the time).”
Several other people across the nation had similar ideas throughout the years. For example we see another Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington that was observed on June 19, 1910 (the third Sunday in June), so that gets us closer to our celebration today. But Father’s Day didn’t become a permanent national holiday for many years although there were several attempts.
Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a law declaring that Father’s Day be celebrated annually on the third Sunday in June. It has been an official, permanent national holiday ever since.
We can’t think of a better way to honor all the AMS Dads, and all Dads everywhere than a perfect poem.
Life Lessons
You may have thought I didn’t see,
Or that I hadn’t heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we’d grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It’s written on my heart.
Without you, Dad, I wouldn’t be
The person I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.
I’ve grown up with your values,
And I’m very glad I did;
So here’s to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.
By Joanna Fuchs
Happy Fathers Day and Happy Solstice – you deserve the longest day!!
AMS Fulfillment is very pleased to see the establishment of Juneteenth as a national holiday, recognizing the end of slavery in the U.S., and acknowledging that it occurred on June 19, 1865. CNN announced the news on the Juneteenth holiday as follows:
“The Senate unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a US holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The legislation has gained momentum since the massive Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd last year…”
AMS employees participated in the George Floyd protests by organizing a March for Change on June 11th, 2020. AMS Chief Workforce Development Officer, Ken Wiseman, spoke to the crowd that day and made the following commitment: “Acceptance of a diverse and inclusive workplace will be a condition of being in this family.” Ken promised renewed efforts at AMS. In meetings that followed, AMS made progress in its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and we continue, every day, to ‘Be the Change’. Readers can follow our B Corporation and DE&I blogs HERE.
We are grateful to the US Congress for recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday, knowing that this day has been steadfastly celebrated for many years by Black families and individuals whose ancestors were among the enslaved. We are honored to celebrate it as well.
The history of Juneteenth gives us insight into the conditions in the US following the Civil War. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, not all enslaved Africans were free. The following story of the true end of slavery is from the Smithsonian national museum of African American history and culture.
“But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth,” by the newly freed people in Texas.
“The post-emancipation period known as Reconstruction (1865-1877) marked an era of great hope, uncertainty, and struggle for the nation as a whole. Formerly enslaved people immediately sought to reunify families, establish schools, run for political office, push radical legislation and even sue slaveholders for compensation. Given the 200+ years of enslavement, such changes were nothing short of amazing. Not even a generation out of slavery, African Americans were inspired and empowered to transform their lives and their country.
“Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Although it has long celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans.”
Juneteenth is now a national holiday, and AMS Fulfillment is proud to have played a role, however small, in support of and in advancement toward a better world.
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation has published an article and produced a podcast introducing the community to two SCV B Corporations – AMS Fulfillment and Neotech Products, LLC. The article goes into what is required for B Corporation Certification, as well as the benefits a B Corp brings to the community.
AMS Fulfillment is very pleased to be featured in the SCVEDC article, written by Holly Schroeder, published June 7, 2021. It is a comprehensive article, full of interesting information about what B Corporations are, with comments from AMS’ Tony Shepherd and Nanotech’s Craig McCrary. Here below is an excerpt:
“Tony Shepherd, CFO of AMS Fulfillment and Green Team Lead Representative stated, “Businesses that are doing good and using business as a force of good are under the flag of a B Corp Certification.
“Many people want to partner with, work for, buy from, and invest in companies they believe in. Two Santa Clarita Valley companies have become B Corporations demonstrating commitment to their employees, community, and the environment.
“B Corporations are for-profit companies, certified by a nonprofit called B Lab. In order to earn the certification, companies must achieve a 80/200 score on B Lab’s assessment, which is split into four parts – Governance, Workers, Community, and Environment.”
We also invite you to enjoy a Podcast from the SCV Economic Development Corporation featuring AMS’ CFO, Tony Shepherd. Tony joins Craig McCrary, President of Neotech, in explaining what makes a B Corporation a benefit to the community. The podcast is entitled: SCV Means Business. It’s a very informative and enjoyable conversation.
Please click on “Podcast” and look for: E:39 Becoming a Certified B Corporation.
AMS Fulfillment has long been committed to diversity in hiring, promotion, education and corporate culture. Learning about diverse peoples and cultural celebrations around the world is a part of our commitment as a B Corporation. We hope you enjoy our blogs that feature the many different holidays, languages, foods, ways of dress, systems of belief and cultural celebrations in Our Diverse World.
We are heading toward the longest day of the year. June 20, 2021 will be summer solstice in the Northern hemisphere, occurring at 11:32 P.M. EDT. The Northern solstice is the time when the North Pole is most inclined toward the sun. Also called Midsummer and Festival Solstice, it is celebrated in countries across the hemisphere and has been celebrated as far back as history takes us.
From Wikipedia we find the following: “Since prehistory, the summer solstice has been seen as a significant time of year in many cultures and has been marked by festivals and rituals. Traditionally, in many temperate regions (especially Europe), the summer solstice is seen as the middle of summer and referred to as “midsummer”. Today, however, in some countries and calendars it is seen as the beginning of summer.”
Let’s look at the way our shared ‘longest day’ is celebrated in this diverse world. From a summer solstice blog we find descriptions of the top 15 solstice festivals. Below we’ll look at our favorites from that list. We’ll begin with Stonehenge, visit India and NY, go to Alaska and Russia and end up at Santa Barbara, California.
Sunrise at Stonehenge, England
On Summer solstice people from UK and from the world gather at Stonehenge to see the sunrise. All stand looking towards northeast, while sun is about to rise. The sun appears exactly above the Heel Stone (one of the stones outside the circle). The crowd silently witnesses the moment, which is a unique feeling, connecting them with a long and mysterious history. This year sun is going to rise on June 20, at 04:51 AM in Amesbury. The Stonehenge celebration is a four-day event from 18th to 21st of June.
Yoga in India & Times Square NY
People in India celebrate Summer solstice with mass yoga sessions due to a belief that the first yogi, Adiyogi, met his disciple on Summer solstice. Thousands of yogis gather in different cities of India and practice yoga, paying a salute to sun, as summer starts. This is done for strength, happiness, love, forgiveness and for correcting mistakes done in past. The United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 International Day of Yoga on December 11 2014.
The International Day of Yoga is also celebrated by doing yoga in New York City’s Times Square. Thousands of yoga lovers gather at around 7 AM to start practicing yoga and continue until the sun sets.
Alaska and the Midnight Sun
Alaska is near to the Arctic and the people get extended days of 22 hours straight light in the summer. The start of summer and the longest day of the year is celebrated with a variety of activities for all ages. The celebrations take place from June 20 to June 22 every year. Downtown Anchorage turns into a party with musicians, artists and performers. There is also a Mayor’s Marathon in which enthusiasts run Anchorage’s best trails. In Fairbanks the Alaska Goldpanners play a game on the Summer solstice during the midnight sun. This is a Fairbanks ritual started in 1906.
St. Petersburg, Russia and the Scarlet Sails
In St. Petersburg from May 27, to July 16 the sun doesn’t fully set on the horizon. These days and nights are termed as “white nights and breezy days”. White nights events date back to when Peter the Great founded the city.
The Scarlet Sails festival is the famous St. Petersburg Solstice event. In past years more than three million visitors have come to the celebration to see the Scarlet Sails boats accompanied by a theatrical performance and multimedia musical performance at the Palace Square. This is the most romantic moment of the festival.
Summer Solstice Parade, Santa Barbara
This is a three-day event on the occasion of summer solstice in Santa Barbara that has been celebrated every year since 1974. Santa Barbara holds a solstice parade with giant puppets, extravagant costumes, and beautiful floats on parade route. The events have attracted more than 100,000 spectators from all across the globe. Every year the celebration has a theme and this year’s theme is “Wonder”.
Coming up on the last Monday of May we get to enjoy a 3-day weekend called Memorial Day. For most of us, it’s just a long weekend in the Springtime in which we can get outdoors. We might put little thought into what this holiday is about and how it started.
Officially the holiday honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It was called Decoration Day for years, as families decorated the graves of loved ones who died in war. Nowadays we might see a parade at the local high school, there will be some related TV programs, we’ll see people visiting a cemetery, maybe there will be a veteran’s event and there will likely be a lot of family gatherings. Memorial Day 2021 will occur on Monday, May 31.
This day, recognizing soldiers who died, originated in the years following the Civil War. It became an official federal holiday in 1971. The following is from the History website:
“The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.”
Later on in the article, we learn that there is a touching story about what might be the original event.
“It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings. And some records show that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
“The race track in question was the Washington Race Course and Jockey Club in Charleston, South Carolina. In the late stages of the Civil War, the Confederate army transformed the formerly posh country club into a makeshift prison for Union captives. More than 260 Union soldiers died from disease and exposure while being held in the race track’s open-air infield. Their bodies were hastily buried in a mass grave behind the grandstands.
“When Charleston fell and Confederate troops evacuated the badly damaged city, those freed from enslavement remained. One of the first things those emancipated men and women did was to give the fallen Union prisoners a proper burial. They exhumed the mass grave and reinterred the bodies in a new cemetery with a tall whitewashed fence inscribed with the words: “Martyrs of the Race Course.”
The story goes on to tell of an extraordinary event. On May 1st, 1865 a crowd of 10,000 mostly freed slaves and white missionaries staged a parade around the race track. The children carried bouquets of flowers and sang “John Brown’s Body” as they marched, and members of Black Union regiments performed double-time marches. The event was covered in the Charleston Daily Courier.
Time Magazine has written about the historical beginnings of Memorial Day in their history section, based on past newspaper coverage.
“Black pastors delivered sermons and led attendees in prayer and in the singing of spirituals, and there were picnics. James Redpath, the white director of freedman’s education in the region, organized about 30 speeches by Union officers, missionaries and black ministers. Participants sang patriotic songs like “America” and “We’ll Rally around the Flag” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” In the afternoon, three white and black Union regiments marched around the graves and staged a drill.
“The New York Tribune described the tribute as “a procession of friends and mourners as South Carolina and the United States never saw before.” The gravesites looked like a “one mass of flowers” and “the breeze wafted the sweet perfumes from them” and “tears of joy” were shed.”
And upon that beginning we celebrate today. Hopefully one day we will celebrate an end to war. We hope you’ve enjoyed this bit of history and the depth and meaning it gives to our Memorial Day of today.
