Every November 19, the world pauses to observe International Men’s Day a global celebration recognizing the positive contributions men make to society, their families, and communities. But this day means more than just recognition. It’s about addressing men’s health and wellbeing, promoting positive masculinity, and celebrating male role models who inspire the next generation.
Mattese Lecque, retired Major with the United States Army Reserves, understands the importance of celebrating Men’s Day from a unique perspective. Having served alongside men who demonstrated courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment, she recognizes that honoring men means acknowledging both their contributions and the challenges they face.
Through Mattese’s lens, the celebration of Men’s Day becomes an opportunity to support the men in our lives, promote their wellbeing, and recognize that gender equality benefits everyone men and women alike.
Understanding International Men’s Day
International Men’s Day, celebrated on November 19, is a global event celebrating men and boys, positive role models, and men’s health and wellbeing. The day was revived in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago by Jerome Teelucksingh, who chose this date to honor his father’s birthday and celebrate positive male contributions to society.
International Men’s Day is celebrated in around 80 countries worldwide, making it a truly global movement focused on men’s issues. The theme for 2025 is “Celebrating Men and Boys,” emphasizing the importance of recognizing positive male influence across all ages.
The Six Pillars of Men’s Day
The celebration of Men’s Day is built on six core objectives:
- Promoting positive male role models
- Celebrating men’s positive contributions to society
- Focusing on men’s health and wellbeing
- Highlighting discrimination against men
- Improving gender relations and promoting gender equality
- Creating a safer, better world for everyone
These pillars align perfectly with Mattese’s life work from military service to community leadership demonstrating that celebrating Men’s Day means committing to practical support and genuine understanding.
Why Celebrating Men’s Day Matters
From Mattese Lecque’s perspective as a veteran and community leader, the celebration of Men’s Day addresses critical issues often overlooked in society.
Men’s Health Crisis
Men face serious health challenges including high suicide rates, with 76% of suicides being by men. In the U.S., men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women. These statistics reveal a mental health crisis that demands attention, compassion, and action.
Mattese’s healthcare background as a Physician’s Assistant taught her that men often neglect their physical and mental health due to cultural expectations about strength and stoicism. The celebration of Men’s Day creates space for men to prioritize wellbeing without shame.
Positive Role Models
International Men’s Day encourages men to teach the boys in their lives the values, character and responsibilities of being a man. Mattese witnessed countless positive male role models during her military service men who demonstrated leadership, integrity, courage, and compassion under pressure.
Through her work as Chairperson of the Burke Foundation for Student Enrichment and Mentoring, Mattese understands that young men need examples of healthy masculinity. The celebration of Men’s Day highlights these positive models who inspire the next generation.
Gender Equality Benefits Everyone
International Men’s Day serves as a reminder that gender equality is a collective effort that benefits both men and women. Mattese’s life demonstrates this truth her success in male-dominated fields like military service came through collaboration, mutual respect, and recognizing that supporting men doesn’t diminish support for women.
Mattese’s Perspective on Celebrating Men’s Day
As someone who served alongside men in the United States Army Reserves for 26 years, Mattese brings authentic understanding to the celebration of Men’s Day.
Honoring Military Men
Military service requires tremendous sacrifice from men time away from families, physical risks, emotional challenges, and the weight of protecting others. The celebration of Men’s Day provides opportunity to honor veterans and active-duty service members who demonstrate courage and commitment daily.
Mattese knows firsthand the challenges military men face the pressure to appear strong while carrying heavy burdens, the difficulty processing trauma, the struggle to reintegrate into civilian life. Men’s Day creates space to acknowledge these challenges while celebrating the positive contributions these men make.
Supporting Men in Leadership
Throughout her career with the Department of Justice and her current role as Commissioner with Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, Mattese has worked alongside men in leadership who balance strength with compassion, authority with empathy, and success with service.
The celebration of Men’s Day recognizes that leadership isn’t about dominance but about responsibility serving others, making difficult decisions, and creating environments where everyone can thrive.
Faith and Fatherhood
As an active member of Saint Peter’s AME Church in North Charleston, Mattese witnesses men who lead families with faith, patience, and dedication. The celebration of Men’s Day honors fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and male mentors who shape young lives through consistent presence and godly example.
Her book “You Can’t Make Me Doubt Him” reveals that faith provides strength for men navigating life’s challenges. Men’s Day creates opportunity to celebrate men whose spiritual leadership blesses families and communities.
How to Celebrate Men’s Day Meaningfully
The celebration of Men’s Day requires more than social media posts it demands practical support and genuine action.
Promote Men’s Health
Encourage the men in your life to prioritize physical and mental health. Support men by encouraging them to seek medical advice and support when needed. Schedule health checkups, discuss mental wellbeing openly, and create safe spaces for men to express vulnerability.
Mattese’s healthcare expertise reinforces that preventive care saves lives. Use the celebration of Men’s Day to start conversations about health that continue year-round.
Celebrate Positive Male Role Models
Identify men who positively impact your community. Acknowledge fathers who prioritize family, teachers who inspire students, coaches who build character, mentors who guide young men, and leaders who serve with integrity.
Share their stories publicly during the celebration of Men’s Day. Recognition matters it validates men’s positive contributions and encourages others to follow their example.
Challenge Harmful Stereotypes
The celebration involves challenging harmful stereotypes and behaviors that affect both men and women. Men don’t have to suppress emotions to be strong. Asking for help isn’t weakness. Vulnerability demonstrates courage, not inadequacy.
Mattese’s military experience taught her that true strength includes acknowledging limits and seeking support. The celebration of Men’s Day breaks down toxic masculinity while promoting healthy expressions of manhood.
Support Men Facing Challenges
Statistics show 87% of rough sleepers are men, and 73% of people who go missing are male. These numbers reveal that many men face severe challenges including homelessness, addiction, and isolation.
The celebration of Men’s Day includes supporting organizations that help struggling men homeless shelters, addiction recovery programs, suicide prevention hotlines, and job training initiatives.
Engage Boys and Young Men
Men celebrating International Men’s Day should think about how they can positively influence not only their sons but other boys as well, including those without fathers or male role models.
Through mentoring programs, youth organizations, and community involvement, men can invest in the next generation. Mattese’s work in education demonstrates that young people need positive male influence to develop healthy identities.
Creating Lasting Impact Beyond Men’s Day
While November 19 focuses attention on men’s issues, Mattese’s perspective emphasizes that supporting men requires year-round commitment.
Year-Round Mental Health Support
Mental health doesn’t improve through one day of awareness. The celebration of Men’s Day should launch sustained efforts to support men’s emotional wellbeing counseling services, support groups, open conversations, and reduced stigma around seeking help.
Ongoing Mentorship
Young men need consistent male role models, not just annual recognition. Following the celebration of Men’s Day, commit to ongoing mentorship through formal programs or informal relationships that provide guidance and support.
Continued Advocacy
Issues affecting men suicide rates, educational gaps, workplace deaths, custody challenges require sustained advocacy. The celebration of Men’s Day raises awareness, but solving these problems demands persistent effort and policy change.
Mattese’s Message for Men’s Day
Drawing from her military service, healthcare career, and community leadership, Mattese would likely share this message for the celebration of Men’s Day:
To the men who serve without recognition, lead without acclaim, sacrifice without complaint, and persist through challenges you matter. Your contributions strengthen families, communities, and our nation. Your struggles deserve acknowledgment. Your wellbeing requires prioritization. Your positive influence shapes the next generation.
It doesn’t matter if you were born with nothing or what mistakes you made you can overcome and succeed. The celebration of Men’s Day reminds us that supporting men doesn’t diminish others but strengthens everyone. Gender equality means addressing all people’s needs with compassion and commitment.
For those struggling with mental health, addiction, or isolation reach out. Asking for help demonstrates strength, not weakness. Your life has value. Your future holds possibility. The community needs your contributions.
Conclusion:
The celebration of Men’s Day by Mattese Lecque isn’t about competing with women’s recognition or claiming victimhood. It’s about acknowledging reality men face unique challenges that deserve attention, contribute positively in countless ways that merit recognition, and need support to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.
International Men’s Day is an opportunity for people everywhere of goodwill to appreciate and celebrate the men in their lives and the contribution they make to society for the greater good of all.
As we approach November 19, commit to meaningful celebration of Men’s Day through practical support, genuine appreciation, and sustained commitment to men’s wellbeing. Honor the positive male role models in your life. Support men facing challenges. Encourage healthy masculinity. Promote mental health. Invest in the next generation.
Mattese Lecque’s life demonstrates that celebrating men means recognizing their humanity strength and vulnerability, courage and fear, success and struggle. Real men aren’t invincible superheroes but human beings deserving of support, recognition, and compassion.
This Men’s Day, let’s celebrate authentically, support practically, and commit to creating a world where all people men and women can thrive with dignity, purpose, and hope.
Celebrate Men’s Day with intention. Honor men with action. Support them with commitment.
