Each year the United States recognizes days and months to bring awareness to different topics and causes that affect people in different ways and for different reasons. Awareness days/months bring attention to important causes, such as health, education, charity goals and more. 

In January at least 16 awareness days/months are recognized: National Mentoring Month;  National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month; National Shortbread Day; National Human Trafficking Awareness Day; National Religious Freedom Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; National Popcorn Day; National Pie Day; National Reading Day; National Peanut Butter Day; The Feast of Our Lady of Peace Day; National Kazoo Day;  National Puzzle Day; National Croissant Day; National Draw a Dinosaur Day; National Backwards Day. 

Don’t ask me how many awareness days and months there are for an entire year in the United States – but I did research information on how these federal holidays or national observances are approved.

As I understand it, a law is required. Action to recognize, support, honor or acknowledge certain periods requires a resolution agreed to by the House or Senate or a concurrent resolution agreed to by both chambers. This U.S. law also provides for the declaration of selected public observances by the president of the United States as designated by Congress or by the discretion of the president.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs and The GFWC Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs, of which our Book Lovers Study Club is an affiliate, endorses the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and month to raise awareness of the persistent issue of human trafficking.

In 2007 the Senate established Jan. 11 and the month of January for observance. Since then, massive public support – from individual donations to government-organized events – has focused on the horrific injustice of human trafficking, which can affect people of any race or background.

There are estimated to be more than 24.9 million people – adults and children – subjected to human trafficking around the world, including in the United States.

In recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day Jan. 11, the Blue Campaign – a program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – holds its #WearBlueDay initiative, along with special events and educational activities throughout January. Anyone can participate in #WearBlueDay; all you need to do is wear a piece of blue clothing!

Susie Hovater Malone is lifestyles columnist for the Franklin County Times.