May arrived with the energy of revolution! International Workers’ Day marked this calendar’s first day, honoring the movements that brought us weekends, healthcare benefits, and workplace safety laws. While most countries celebrate on May 1st, the US strategically moved “Labor Day” to September to disconnect Americans from this worldwide solidarity. If you’re just learning that how, remember: the stories we’re not taught often hold the most transformative power. And awareness is the first step toward positive action.
As we move through this month of remembrance and resistance, let’s remember the moments that continue to shape our collective fight for justice.
May 1 – 31
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Art has always been a weapon of resistance. This AAPI Heritage Month, we’re celebrating how Asian American artists are wielding their creative power to transform historical trauma into collective healing.
George Takei—known to millions as Star Trek’s Hikaru Sulu—has become one of our most powerful voices connecting past injustices to present struggles. His bestselling graphic memoirs “They Called Us Enemy” and “It Rhymes With Takei” use visual storytelling to share hard truths about:
- the childhood he spent wrongfully imprisoned in Japanese American internment camps, and
- his later journey as a gay man navigating Hollywood while closeted for decades.
Through art, Takei transforms personal pain into public consciousness, showing how easily “never again” can become “happening right now” when we don’t confront our history honestly.
At FUNKY BROWN CHICK, we see Takei’s work as a masterclass in our Art for Social Change approach—using creative expression not just to document injustice, but to imagine more just futures.
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Hepatitis, most often caused by a virus, means “inflammation of the liver.” While there is a lot of misinformation about Hepatitis, Hepatitis Awareness Month aims to countermisinformation and to inform people about the causes, symptoms, and effects of Hepatitis. Learn more information about the medical condition here.
In an era where medical misinformation spreads virally, Hepatitis Awareness Month takes on new urgency. This month, arm yourself with facts about prevention and treatment of the five hepatitis viruses, because in 2025, public health knowledge isn’t just power—it’s justice.
And don’t forget to get tested! May 19th is National Hepatitis Testing Day! According to the CDC, millions of Americans are unaware that they have a form of the disease. If left untreated, this can result in liver damage.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the US has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the industrialized world. This is why minors need abortion access—and, equally important, comprehensive sex education. Coupled together, more teens are less likely to get pregnant. They are also more likely to have safe access to comprehensive care when/if they do get pregnant.
We love it that organizations like Power to Decide are combating contraception misinformation while training college campus ambassadors to educate their peers about reproductive health. The ACLU is challenging restrictive laws in court, creating legal pathways for minors to access care despite mounting barriers. Meanwhile, community health centers continue providing judgment-free services to young people regardless of income or documentation status.
At FUNKY BROWN CHICK, we recognize that these attacks disproportionately impact communities already facing systemic barriers to healthcare. This month, support the organizations fighting on the frontlines of reproductive justice, because the US doesn’t have to remain an outlier—a better world is possible, and we’re helping build it.
Mental Health Awareness Month
In a world increasingly designed to fracture our attention and exploit our anxieties, protecting our mental wellbeing becomes an act of resistance. This May marks Mental Health Awareness Month with NAMI’s powerful theme: “In Every Story, There’s Strength”—a reminder that our mental health journeys, especially for communities facing systemic barriers, contain both struggle and triumph.
At FUNKY BROWN CHICK, we recognize that mental health has always been political. From the criminalization of mental illness to the unequal access to care across race and class lines, our brains and bodies bear the weight of broken systems. This reality is especially stark for Black women, who face higher rates of stress from racism and sexism while encountering barriers to culturally responsive care.
Want to join the movement for mental health justice? Share your story through NAMI’s campaign, challenging the stigma that keeps so many suffering in silence. Equip yourself with Mental Health First Aid training through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing so you can support others in crisis. Most importantly, remember that in a world that treats rest as weakness, prioritizing your mental health is revolutionary.
May 1
May Day
We support unions and workers’ rights! May 1st has a long association with the US labor movement. More than a century after the first May Day protests, May 1st is still a flashpoint in the constant struggle for workers’ rights. We need greater solidarity and support for labor unions and workers’ rights. Globally, the cost of living is increasing and wages aren’t, which isn’t helpful for anyone. Empowering workers could be the ultimate solution.
Law Day
While mainstream celebrations of Law Day focus on legal contests and classroom speakers, at FUNKY BROWN CHICK, we see this observance differently—as a vital moment to examine how laws shape our reproductive freedom, voting access, and immigration rights. Established in 1958 by President Eisenhower, this day invites us to reflect on whose rights our legal system actually protects.
As attacks on bodily autonomy intensify, Law Day 2025 offers the perfect opportunity to engage directly with legislation impacting our communities. Rather than passive celebration, consider taking action. Explore upcoming bills in your state related to reproductive health. Challenge yourself to understand how voter suppression laws affect marginalized populations, or support legal defense funds protecting immigrants and asylum seekers. Because true justice requires more than ceremonies—it demands our participation.
May 3
World Press Freedom Day
A free press stands as democracy’s essential witness, yet in 2025, the truth tellers face unprecedented danger. This May 3rd marks World Press Freedom Day with urgency—a moment to recognize that independent journalism isn’t just under threat in distant autocracies but faces mounting challenges in democracies worldwide. The Committee to Protect Journalists is preparing a special report examining press freedom in the US following the first 100 days of the Trump administration, addressing targeted attacks, regulatory abuse, and access issues affecting journalists across the country.
At FUNKY BROWN CHICK, we understand that a functioning democracy requires unfettered access to accurate information. Support organizations fighting for press freedom this month by amplifying their work, subscribing to independent news outlets, and demanding your representatives protect whistleblowers and shield laws. In an era of deepfakes and disinformation, defending those who defend the truth isn’t optional—it’s essential.
May 4
Keith Haring’s Birthday (1958)
Art became resistance in the hands of Keith Haring, whose vibrant imagery transformed public spaces into battlegrounds for social change. Born on this day in 1958, Haring used his distinctive visual language to advocate for safe sex, AIDS awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-apartheid activism. As the Keith Haring Foundation notes, “He wanted people to experience the transformative power of art… he wanted to heal, he wanted to make people laugh, he wanted people to be moved in some way.”
Experience Haring’s revolutionary work at the Whitney Museum’s “Shifting Landscapes” exhibition running through January 2026, or visit the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection in Japan showcasing works through May 2025.
May 7
National Barrier Awareness Day
The barriers we tolerate become the injustices we accept. First proclaimed by President Reagan in 1986, National Barrier Awareness Day challenges us to identify and dismantle the obstacles preventing people with disabilities from fully participating in society. This work is inseparable from reproductive justice. How can bodily autonomy be achieved when healthcare facilities remain inaccessible to wheelchair users? How can comprehensive sex education serve all when materials aren’t available in multiple formats? Today, commit to making your advocacy intersectional by auditing your organization’s accessibility, amplifying disabled voices in your movement work, and challenging harmful assumptions about sexuality and disability. Because true liberation requires breaking down every barrier, visible and invisible.
May 8
National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8 – 12
Empty appreciation rings hollow without fair compensation. This Teacher Appreciation Week arrives amid what experts call a full-blown crisis, with educators facing unprecedented challenges. Only 18% of US residents would encourage young people to become K-12 teachers, citing low pay, lack of resources, and stressful work environments as the main deterrents. The situation has become even more dire after “grants meant for teacher and school leader development in high-need schools were abruptly cut,” leaving districts scrambling.
We believe that true appreciation means fighting for teachers’ rights to livable wages, sustainable workloads, and professional dignity. This week, go beyond coffee mugs and gift cards. Call your representatives to demand teacher pay that keeps pace with inflation. Support teacher unions fighting for better working conditions, and speak out against political interference in classrooms. Because our teachers deserve more than just our thanks. They deserve justice.
May 9
FDA Approves “the Pill” (1960)
While various birth control methods have been used throughout history, modern history was made when John Rock, a devout Catholic, developed what is now known as “the pill.” On this day in history, the FDA approved Enovid-10, the first world’s first medically-sanctioned, commercially-available oral contraceptive. With recent restrictions placed on abortion, birth control has come under fire as well. Birth control remains legal; however, in some states like Texas, access to it has become limited for teens. Any further restrictions would threaten bodily autonomy and human rights.
May 10
Victoria Woodhull Runs for President (1872)
In 1871, publisher and activist Victoria Woodhull declared her intention to run for president. Formally nominated by the Equal Rights Party the next year, she became the first US woman to mount a presidential campaign. Notably, she chose Frederick Douglass as her running mate, but without getting his consent.
In the 100+ years since Woodhull’s campaign, we’ve had the first African-American woman to run for president (Shirley Chisolm); the first woman vice president candidate (Geraldine Ferraro); and the first woman major party nominee (Hilary Clinton). In 2020, women broke records, and the number of women that were elected to serve in the 117th Congress was over 130. And, most recently, in 2024, our first women Vice President who is also of Black and South Asian, Kamala Harris, ran for president. Victoria set the stage for all of these powerful women and for women and girls in the future to know they have a voice and a place in whatever space they set foot in.
May 11
Mother’s Day
Motherhood contains multitudes of people. And it’s a celebration for some, grief for others. This Mother’s Day, while many exchange flowers and brunches, we acknowledge the complex emotions this holiday may bring up for those experiencing infertility, pregnancy loss, strained maternal relationships, or separation from their children. At FUNKY BROWN CHICK, we believe in holding space for all experiences.
If you’re struggling, consider connecting with organizations like Postpartum Support International’s “Chasing the Rainbows,” which offers daily support for those who have experienced infertility and pregnancy loss in a trauma-informed environment. HAND (Helping After Neonatal Death) provides resources specifically for those finding Mother’s Day painful, including one-on-one peer support services.
Or consider supporting the National Bail Out collective’s annual “Mama’s Day Bail Outs,” which bail out Black mothers and caregivers so they can spend Mother’s Day with their families instead of in jail cells simply because they can’t afford bail. In a system where motherhood itself is criminalized for many, freedom becomes the most profound gift.
May 12
United States ex rel. Standing Bear v. Crook (1879)
This case arose out of the forced relocation of the Ponca people. After his arrest for leaving an Oklahoma reservation (to bury his son), Standing Bear, leader of the Ponca people, sued the government. Judge Elmer S. Dundy ruled that Indigenous Americans are people within the color of the law and that Standing Bear’s right to free movement as a human had been violated. This case was the first to recognize the humanity of Indigenous Americans under federal law. More than 100 years later, for the first time, an Indigenous American (Deb Haaland) was selected to serve as a cabinet secretary.
May 14 – 20
National Women’s Health Week
We believe the spirit of this week should honor all gender identities that traditionally experience barriers to excellent health—we’re looking at YOU if you’re a woman, transgender man, nonbinary individual, intersex person, or someone who otherwise doesn’t automatically receive better treatment due to their gender! “Health” includes access to medical care, exercise, healthy relationships, and sexual health. You can find health and wellness centered events all over the country this week.
Here’s a couple to check out!
9th Annual Vivian W. Pinn Symposium
The Office of Research on Women’s Health hosts this symposium during National Women’s Health Week, providing a critical forum for experts to collaborate on advancing women’s health.
Women’s Health Summit 2025
This meeting by the Society for Endocrinology will feature “brand-new topics and session styles and another stellar lineup of world-class speakers” focusing on women’s health.
May 15
Paragraph 175 of German Criminal Code Criminalizes Sex Acts Between Men
Content warning: This section discusses the Holocaust, homophobia, anti-LGBTQIA+ violence, and political violence.
Created in 1871, this law made “penetrative” sexual activity between men illegal. Nazis expanded the definition of illegal sexual behavior, citing the act as a justification to jail and kill gay Germans. People were encouraged to report their neighbors, employees, and even passersby. Although the law was finally repealed in 1994, we learned that when fascists get into power, they attack a lot of things, including sexual expression. Collectively as humans, we have to stop assuming it’s okay to stay quiet on the sidelines when groups are targeted solely because they have different beliefs. The documentary Paragraph 175 shares the personal stories of gay and lesbian Holocaust survivors.
May 17
Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education (1954)
After several lawsuits in various states, it was a Supreme Court case in Topeka, Kansas that ultimately led to school desegregation. Images of Black Americans integrating various schools were published nationwide. The ruling spurred continued advocacy during the Civil Rights Movement. However, for all the progress made, resegregation (over 30% of public school students attended a predominantly same-race school)—particularly of public schools—has become a modern-day challenge.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
Homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia can lead to acts of discrimination and violence and have no place in a fair-minded society. International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was founded by advocate, lecturer, and editor Louis-Georges Tin. The goal of the day is to raise awareness of the effects of bias and to encourage advocacy around issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. Interesting fact: May 17th was chosen because the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases on May 17, 1990.
May 18
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
We at FUNKY BROWN CHICK are excited about the potential for a cure for HIV! HIV Vaccine Awareness Day recognizes the various scientists, health professionals, and volunteers working to create a vaccine for HIV. Another goal of this day is to educate the public on the need for a vaccine. While a cure is needed, current medical efforts have positively affected many of those living with HIV.
May 19
Malcolm X’s Birthday (1925)
“The greatest mistake of the movement has been trying to organize a sleeping people around specific goals. You have to wake people up first, then you’ll get action.” So said minister, speaker, and vaunted civil rights leader Malcolm X. Born Malcolm Little on this date in 1925, his life and work continue to inspire people today. Learn more about his life, views, and death through the timeless classic The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
The CDC estimates that in 2018, 17,600 Asians and Pacific Islanders were living with HIV in the US The CDC and the Banyan Tree Project established this day to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in the AAPI community. A further goal of this day is to combat stigma. Learn more about how you can get involved.
Yuri Kochiyama’s Birthday (1921)
Yuri Kochiyama knew how to stand in solidarity. She protested in support of independence for Puerto Rico; advocated for the incarcerated; and sought reparations for Japanese-American internees. Through her activism, she eventually became close with Malcolm X, and was present when he was assassinated. Like her mentor, she too courted controversy with some of her statements. Yuri Kochiyama died in 2014 at the age of 93.
May 21
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
In a year marked by coordinated attacks on diversity initiatives, World Day for Cultural Diversity offers a powerful counter-narrative based on economic reality rather than political posturing. Established by the UN in 2002, this day celebrates culture as “a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life.”
At FUNKY BROWN CHICK, we’ve witnessed firsthand how cultural diversity fuels innovation and market growth. While companies like Target face financial consequences after rolling back DEI initiatives—including a 1.8% decline in total revenue and a 2.4% drop in comparable store sales in Q1 2025—others are standing firm. Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins defended diversity efforts, stating: “You cannot argue with the fact that a diverse workforce is better. There’s too much business value…” Costco’s board similarly emphasized that their diverse supplier base “fosters creativity and innovation” and enhances customer satisfaction.
This day reminds us that diversity isn’t just socially responsible—it’s economically essential. Celebrate by supporting multicultural arts events, patronizing businesses owned by underrepresented groups, or joining organizations fighting against DEI rollbacks. Because cultural diversity is our collective human heritage and competitive advantage.
May 22
Harvey Milk’s Birthday (1930)
Harvey Milk’s road to political activism didn’t come naturally or quickly. But this “born politician” eventually became a loud and proud advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. He ran for office several times before his history-making election to become San Francisco city supervisor. Milk’s 1978 assassination—by a fellow politician no less—reminds us of the potentially deadly consequences that can come from demonizing political figures.
Richard Oakes’s Birthday (1942)
A member of the Mohawk Nation, much of Richard Oakes’s advocacy is considered integral to the “Red Power” movement of the 1960s and ‘70s. In 1969, he helped spearhead a 19-month occupation of Alcatraz prison. The goal of the occupation was to protest the Indian Termination policy and reclaim the island for Indigenous peoples. He also helped establish one of the country’s first Indigenous American studies departments. His life ended tragically in 1972, after a suspected white supremacist shot and killed him.
May 26
Memorial Day
As one of the most popular May days to remember, we pay tribute to the sacrifices of those who’ve served in the U.S. military. Originally called “Decoration Day,” the first informal observances of the holiday were held after the Civil War. A 1968 act of Congress cemented the observance as an official federal holiday to be held on the last Monday in May. As debate remains surrounding transgender troops’ ability to serve openly, we specifically seek to honor, uplift, and advocate for our transgender troops.
May 29
Sojourner Truth Delivers “Ain’t I a Woman?” Speech (1851)
Human rights activist and preacher Sojourner Truth delivered this famous speech at the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention. While the title of the speech has been questioned, its content—on human rights for all women generally, and the lack of humanity and privilege afforded to Black women specifically—sadly resonates today.
May’s Message: Standing Firm When It Matters Most
As we move through May 2025, these observances remind us that resistance isn’t merely about pushing back. It’s about standing firmly in our values even when political winds shift. From World Press Freedom Day to National Barrier Awareness Day, this month highlights how easily hard-won progress can erode when we lose sight of our collective humanity.
At FUNKY BROWN CHICK, we know that meaningful change requires more than hashtags or hollow corporate statements. It demands courageous action in uncomfortable moments. Whether you’re fighting for press freedom, supporting incarcerated mothers, advocating for teachers’ fair pay, or simply making space for cultural diversity in your daily life, remember that small acts of resistance compound into movements that reshape society.
This month, we invite you to join us in celebrating not just awareness days, but the ongoing work of building a more just world where everyone thrives. Because when foundations shake, it’s not time to retreat—it’s time to build something stronger.Ready to turn awareness into action? Contact us to discuss how FUNKY BROWN CHICK can help your organization leverage digital strategies for greater impact in these challenging times. Together, we can transform resistance into resilience and setbacks into stepping stones toward justice.