October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a celebration of 25 years of education and empowerment. Both individuals and institutions have risen to the challenge of fighting this pervasive disease.
This year, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. One of them is a very dear friend, who was diagnosed several years ago. I watched and stood by her as her faith, family and friends helped her through her treatment. I am humbled to have been one of the many who gave her the support she needed.
I urge you to be diligent and continue in the fight against breast cancer beyond a designated month. Promoting awareness and education is a year-round mission. As represented by those we highlight in our Women’s Issue, you, too, can “give back” and becomepart of the effort to eradicate this disease.
We also celebrate the winners of the 2010 Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, whose writings help us understand racism and appreciate our cultural diversity. Harvard professor and jury chair Henry Louis Gates Jr., observes that they “are among the most influential voices in today’s global society, challenging conventional thinking and prodding us to think beyond what we believe to be true.”