Repost from the UMBC Summer Day Camp Team

Starting this year we will have an early registration to the UMBC Summer Day Camp for UMBC Faculty & Staff Members. General registration will begin on March 3rd at 12pm, UMBC Faculty & Staff will have access to register starting Sunday March 1, at 12pm. Information on how to register your CampDoc account can be found by accessing this information from our website: UMBC Summer Day Camp FAQ's.

UMBC Faculty & Staff members will receive a discount of $35 per week during registration using the code "STAFF 26". Discounts may not be combined or stacked.

We're excited to welcome campers back for another fun-filled summer with great activities and plenty of opportunities to learn and make friends. This summer we will be introducing some NEW themes such as: Decades Week, Space Week, Holiday Week, World Cup Week, and Game Show Week. While keeping some of our classic themes like Under the Big Top Week, At the Beach Week, Science and Conservation Week, and rounding out the summer with Color Wars!! All information such as pricing, dates, weekly descriptions, and more can be found on our website.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions and we hope to see you all again this summer!"

If you've ever looked at your meal balance and thought, "I probably won't use all of these…" — this is your moment.

Through February 25, you can turn those extra swipes into meals for fellow Retrievers experiencing food insecurity. It's a simple choice that can quietly make someone's week a little easier.

No pressure. Just an opportunity to look out for your own community.

Every swipe shared is one less worry for someone else.

Learn more through the link below.

https://retrieveressentials.umbc.edu/services/save-a-swipe/

BAI WRITING COACH

About Arts for Learning Maryland

Arts for Learning Maryland (formerly Young Audiences of Maryland) is devoted to enriching the lives and education of Maryland’s youth through educationally and culturally diverse arts programs. Through Arts for Learning, professional teaching artists from all disciplines partner with educators, schools, and school districts to provide—on average—over 300,000 hours of learning in, through, and about the arts to more than 185,000 Maryland students annually.

Faculty-Led Study Abroad

International Labor Economics Focusing on Gender & the Economy in Portugal 

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was a groundbreaking Black American inventor who dedicated her life to creating tools that made everyday tasks easier and more dignified. She was born in 1912 in Monroe, North Carolina, into a family of inventors, and began designing solutions to problems at a very young age.

After moving to Washington, D.C. at age 12, Mary regularly visited the U.S. Patent Office to check whether her ideas already existed. Most of them did not. Her creativity and determination led her to file five patents, more than any other African American woman in U.S. history.

In 1956, Mary patented an elastic sanitary belt that securely held menstrual pads in place. At a time when most products were uncomfortable and unreliable, her design improved comfort, mobility, and protection. She later improved the design with a moisture proof pocket to prevent leaks.

Although companies showed interest in her invention, they withdrew support after learning she was Black. Because of racism, her patent expired, and manufacturers profited from her idea while she received no financial benefit.

Mary continued inventing despite these barriers. Inspired by her sister who had multiple sclerosis, she designed a walker attachment with a tray and storage. She also created accessible bathroom tools, including a wall-mounted back scrubber and a toilet paper holder designed to help people with arthritis and vision loss.

Throughout her life, Mary focused on solving real problems for real people. She never became wealthy from her work, but her inventions helped shape modern menstrual products and accessibility tools used today.

Save the date! On March 4–5, UMBC will host Black & Gold Rush, our annual Giving Days. During this 36-hour event, members of our community come together to support students, faculty, and programs across campus.

We invite you to join us in supporting our department during this special event. Your contribution makes a real difference for our current students. It helps support a wide range of undergraduate programs and initiatives that enrich student learning, development, and experiences. Thanks to donors like you, we can continue to celebrate and uplift the next generation.

Every gift matters, no matter the amount. Your generosity helps strengthen our academic community and student success.

To make a donation, please visit:
umbc.edu/blackandgoldrush

When completing the form, please type "Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health Department" in the Designation field to ensure your gift supports our department.

Thank you for being part of our community and for your continued support!