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International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed annually on 27 January, on the anniversary the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Soviet army in 1945. This day honors the memory of the six million Jewish people and the millions of other minorities (e.g., the disabled, Sinti-Roma, Slavs, gay men, Free Masons, and Jehovah Witnesses) who were systematically murdered during the Holocaust. 

The day was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/7 in 2004. The intention was to not only remember the victims but affirm the reality of the Holocaust so that it might “forever be a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice.” All Member States were urged to develop educational programs to “inculcate future generations with the lessons of the Holocaust in order to help to prevent future acts of genocide.”

Perhaps there is no better way to learn these lessons than by reading and listening to the testimonies of Holocaust victims and survivors, to let these people speak for themselves. These accounts bear witness to this history in a deeply personal way. They enable us to hear individual’s voices and consider their life experiences within the context of genocide. The statistics of the Holocaust are staggering, but it is essential that the individuals these numbers represent not be forgotten. Their stories reveal the horrors of the concentration camps and ghettos. In many of them, particularly in those who survived, we also see glimpses of hope and humanity amid despair – the strength and resilience of those who rebuilt their lives. 

On the main floor of the Library you can find a display of first-person account of victims and survivors of the Holocaust. These include memoirs, diaries, and transcripts of oral histories. Also consider listening to the voices of survivors tell their story. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Jeff and Toby Herr Oral History Archive is one of the largest and most diverse collections of Holocaust testimonies in the world. By listening to their stories we honor their legacy. These accounts call us to commit to ensuring future generations never forget and to work toward a world where such atrocities will never happen again.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely celebrated for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. His commitment to equality, however, extended beyond simply race; it was a radical vision of interconnectedness and mutuality among all people. This broad perspective is evident in his 1961 commencement speech at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he focused on the foundational ideals of the United States stated in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” and “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” For King this was the American dream, and it had yet to be realized.

King argued that the only way to make this dream a reality was to develop a “world perspective,” reject the false doctrine of white supremacy, and embrace non-violence. Humanity must recognized their shared destiny and interconnectedness. There must be a collective commitment to creating a world of unity and mutual respect. The technological and scientific developments of the time demonstrated how small the world really is. As King stated:

Through our scientific genius we have made of the  world a neighborhood, and now through our moral and ethical commitment we must make  of it a brotherhood. We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools. It simply means that every nation must be concerned about every other nation. Every individual must be concerned about every other individual. 

This idea of interconnectedness was central to King’s philosophy. He articulated this in what he called an “inescapable network of mutuality” and a “single garment of destiny,” asserting that the well-being of one person or group is tied to the well-being of all:

“Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. As long as there is extreme poverty in this world, no man can be totally rich even if he has a billion dollars. As long as diseases are rampant and millions of people cannot expect to live more than 28 or 30 years, no one can be totally healthy, even if he just got a checkup in the finest clinic in the nation.

King’s words compel us to reflect on our shared responsibilities and confront systemic issues such as poverty, inequality, and disease, not as distant problems but as urgent matters that touch all of humanity. Yet, for King this mutuality and interconnectedness goes beyond economic stability, racial equity, and physical well-being. It is ultimately about the purpose of human life:

Strangely enough, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the way the world is made. This the interrelated structure of reality.”

To learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. please check out the book display on the Library’s fourth floor. You can listen to the full version of King’s “American Dream” speech here.

Poverty remains a persistent challenge in the world, affecting not only the material well-being of individuals but also their access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for advancement. In fact, according to the World Bank the global reduction in poverty is at a standstill. Millions of people in the United States continue to live below the poverty line, with children and marginalized communities disproportionately affected. Globally, poverty’s impact is even more staggering, leaving billions without access to clean water, nutritious food, and safe shelter.

Poverty is caused by a series of interconnected issues. These include economic conditions like income inequality, unemployment, inflation, and unstable markets. Additionally, events such as natural disasters, armed conflicts, and disease outbreaks create new economic vulnerabilities resulting in food insecurity and resource scarcity. Historical inequalities, such as racism or gender-based discrimination, further perpetuate poverty in marginalized communities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated these issues, introducing unprecedented challenges for global economies and widening income inequality. Climate change too disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable. 

Breaking the cycle of poverty requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate needs and systemic barriers. Improving the climate can mitigate energy insecurity, protect vulnerable communities, and reduce hardships linked to poverty, such as inadequate housing along with water and food insecurity. Supporting affordable homeownership enhances health outcomes and provides financial stability. Advancing food security through assistance programs and building grocery stores in underserved areas can alleviate food deserts. Additionally, implementing supportive government policies, such as social safety nets and income support, can play a crucial role in alleviating poverty and promoting economic mobility. 

During this Poverty Awareness Month we are called to reflect, learn, and act. Whether through volunteering, donating to local shelters, or advocating for policies that address inequality, each action can make a difference. By fostering awareness and compassion, we can work toward sustainable solutions that uplift those in need and pave the way for a future where poverty no longer defines lives. For more information please check out the book display on the third floor of the Library. 

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, served from 1977 to 1981. His presidency included several notable achievements, including brokering peace between Egypt and Israel through the Camp David Accords, transferring control of the Panama Canal to Panama via the Panama Canal Treaty, reaching a strategic arms agreement with the Soviet Union, and establishing formal diplomatic relations with China. Carter also worked to make the government more inclusive, appointing more women, African Americans, and Jewish Americans to official positions and judgeships than all previous presidents combined. Additionally, he created the Departments of Education and Energy and prioritized environmental protection. A staunch advocate for human rights, Carter placed them at the center of U.S. foreign policy. Despite these accomplishments, his presidency faced significant challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis and a struggling economy.  Likewise, as a political outsider, Carter took pride in prioritizing principle over political maneuvering, but this approach often made it difficult for him to achieve legislative goals in Washington.  

After leaving office, Carter and his beloved wife Rosalyn, his partner throughout his political and public service career, embarked on a journey of humanitarian and peacemaking efforts that would define his legacy. In 1982, they founded The Carter Center, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to “waging peace,” promoting human rights, and alleviating human suffering. The Center has been instrumental in advancing health initiatives, notably contributing to the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease.

Carter's commitment to peace extended to diplomatic missions worldwide. He played a pivotal role in mediating conflicts and promoting fair elections in various countries. His efforts in North Korea in 1994 led to a temporary freeze of the country's nuclear program. Additionally, Carter's work in the Middle East, particularly his advocacy for Palestinian rights, showcased his dedication to finding peaceful solutions to complex international issues. 

Carter's humanitarian work was also exemplified through his involvement with Habitat for Humanity. He and Rosalynn began volunteering with Habitat in 1984, actively participated in building and repairing homes for those in need. This commitment led to the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, an annual home building blitz organized by Habitat and its affiliates. It generally takes place in the United States one year, and an international location the next. Since its inception, the Carter Work Project has built 4,447 homes in 14 countries and involved over 108,000 volunteers.  

Carter's post-presidential work earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, for “his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” For Carter, though, his dedication to service was not about receiving accolades but simply a way to live out his faith. He stated, “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I’m free to choose that something. That something—the something that I’ve chosen—is my faith. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have, to try to make a difference.”

To learn more, please visit our book display on the main floor of the library.