Cultural Celebrations

Women’s History Month Proclamation Video

The City of Frederick Employee Recognition Video: Women’s History Month  

History of Women’s History Month 

Since 1978, March has been designated to the recognition and celebration of Women’s achievements and contributions to history and society. Women’s History Month first began as a week-long celebration in Santa Rose, California held during the same week as International Women’s Day which is March 8. As the movement began to popularize throughout the country, President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8th Women’s History Week. Succeeding presidents continued to do so until Congress passed Public Law 100-9, between 1988 and 1994, designating March as Women’s History Month. You can find more information on the history of Women’s History month on the official Women’s History Website, or the federal Women’s History Month website. 

Local Female Community in Frederick  

• 51.5 percent of city residents identify as female, according to 2021 Census
• The City is home to approximately 2,403 women-owned businesses or firms 
• There have been plenty of well-known female residents in Frederick – learn more about them on the Heritage Frederick website!

Frederick Celebrates Women’s History Month 

Looking to shop or attend events to celebrate? Check out these local opportunities! 

• Celebrate the strong women of Frederick by walking the Women of Frederick Tour provided by Visit Frederick.
• Dine at one of Frederick’s many women-owned restaurants, such as Glory Dough and Diner or Attaboy Barrel House, or shop at a women-owned business.  
• Attend a performance at the Weinberg Center for the Arts, such as comedian Paula Poundstone (March 26^th), or the Celtic group Cherish the Ladies (March 20^th).

Recommended Resources

• Visit the National Park Service women’s history month website to learn more or reflect on women's contributions of past and present and find opportunities to celebrate at any of the more than 400 national parks across the country.
• Check out this list of must-read books by women, from classics to modern masterpieces.

The City of Frederick Employee Recognition: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

History of Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

In 1978, Joint Resolution 1007 was introduced, and it was proposed that the president should proclaim a week in which the first 10 days of May would be recognized as Asian/ Pacific Heritage week. This resolution was signed on October 5, 1978, by President Jimmy Carter and Presidents continued to pass annual proclamations until 1992 when congress passed public law 102-450.  Public law 102-450 annually designated May as Asian / Pacific American Heritage Month. If you would like more information about Asian American/ Pacific Islander Heritage Month, check out the official Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month website.

 Local Asian American/Pacific Islander Community in Frederick

• 4,840 community members identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander.
• The community includes youth, parents, families, LGBTQ+, people of faith, and more.

Frederick Celebrates Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Looking to shop or learn about Asian American and Pacific Islander culture and history in Frederick to celebrate? Check out these local opportunities! 

• Head out to the "Celebrate Asian Heritage" event hosted annually by the Asian American Center of Frederick to enjoy a full day of culture and entertainment at the Carroll Creek Park. 
• Dine or shop at one of Frederick’s many Asian American-owned businesses. 

Recommended Resources

• Read about our notable AAPI residents, like Elizabeth Chung and Chen Chiang, on Heritage Frederick’s We the People website.
• Check out the website of the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) to find information about AAPI Month. 

The City of Frederick is thrilled to celebrate Pride with the community this year, and every year.  This Employee Recognition video features members of the City staff, and includes a special interview with Cpl. Sara Leishear and Officer Hailey Leishear, officers in the Frederick Police Department. 

Pride Month Proclamation: Video

The City of Frederick Employee Recognition: Pride Month

History of Pride Month 

Pride Month is celebrated in the month of June each year to honor the Stonewall Riots that took place on June 28, 1969. Each day of the month is designated to a different sexuality and gender identity. Pride Month began as "Gay Pride Day" and was celebrated on the last Sunday in June. It soon grew into a month-long celebration and commemoration of the history and impacts of the LGBTQ+ community. You can find more information on the origins and traditions of Pride Month on the Library of Congress website. 

The City of Frederick and the LGBTQ+ Community   

Did you know that the City of Frederick earned a perfect score of 100 in the 2021 Municipal Equality Index for its ongoing efforts to ensure equal treatment of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community?  The City earned points for the inclusion of the Contractor Non-Discrimination Ordinance in the City’s Purchasing Policies, the offering of transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits, and the City’s strong leadership around LGBTQ equality, including legislative and policy efforts. 

Frederick Celebrates Pride Month 

Looking for events to attend? Check out these local events!  

• Attend Frederick Pride on June 25h from 11-6pm in Carroll Creek Linear Park to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community! 
• Check out the Inky Cap Artist Co-Op at FAC’s Sky Stage to shop from local LGBTQ+ artisan vendors from 11-3pm on June 25^th. 
• Visit the Frederick Arts Council’s Gallery “Infinite Growth: An Exhibition of LGBTQ+ Artists” until September. 

Recommended Resources

• Check out the resources provided by the Frederick Center, which serves the LGBTQ+ community in and around Frederick. 
• Find books relate to Pride in any of the Frederick County Public Libraries, or on their webpage that features books for kids, teens, and adults.  

*Note: Many of the links included in the following content sections are to third party websites. The City of Frederick does not endorse any of the following products or services and the quality of each website will vary. 

In the month of May, we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. The City of Frederick joins with cities and towns across the country by recognizing the role of Jewish American residents, employees, and community leaders. We encourage you to check out the resources* below and our newest video for Jewish American Heritage Month in which we sat down with Jewish community leaders in Frederick to talk about the contributions that Jewish Americans have made to the fabric of our nation’s history and culture.

Jewish American Heritage Month video: 

Jewish American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is a celebrated national effort that is recognized each May by Presidential proclamation, a tradition that began in May 2006. JAHM provides an antidote to antisemitism by helping the general public learn more about Jewish Americans. Celebrating JAHM helps to strengthen our communities and promote a sense of belonging, shared civic life, and deeper understanding of cultural heritage. Learn more at the official Jewish American Heritage Month website.

While the United States saw its first Jewish community form in New York in 1654, Frederick has had a Jewish presence dating back to the 1740s. The Frederick Hebrew Congregation was founded about 100 years later in 1840. Their first rabbi began leading the congregation in 1858, and in 1917, the then-unaffiliated congregation was renamed Beth Sholom Congregation. Their original synagogue, on West Second Street, housed the congregation from 1923 to the 1980s, and then moved to their current home on North Market Street in 1984. Today, Frederick is also home to two other congregations - Reform Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick and the Chabad Jewish Center. The Jewish community in Frederick started out relatively small, and has grown today to about 400 to 500 affiliated families. 

Visit the Gordon Maryland Jewish Community Collection, donated by former Frederick Mayor Paul Gordon and wife Rita, at the Jewish Museum of Maryland to learn more about the Jewish experience in Frederick!