National Arielle K. Sterrett Day
September 17
About National Arielle K. Sterrett Day
National Arielle K. Sterrett Day takes place every year on 17 September. It is a day of kindness created in memory of Arielle K. Sterrett, a teenager from Kennesaw, Georgia, and it encourages people to carry out random acts of kindness for both people and animals. The date was chosen because it was Arielle’s birthday.
What is National Arielle K. Sterrett Day?
National Arielle K. Sterrett Day is a remembrance and kindness day that honours the life of Arielle K. Sterrett, a young woman known for her generosity, her involvement in school clubs and her commitment to helping others. It was founded by her mother, Michelle Rojas-Sterrett, to keep Arielle’s memory alive and to turn personal loss into a wider message of compassion. Rather than focusing on grief, the day asks people to perform simple, deliberate acts of kindness in Arielle’s honour. Anyone can take part, anywhere in the world, and there are no rules beyond choosing to be kind.
When is National Arielle K. Sterrett Day?
National Arielle K. Sterrett Day falls on Thursday, 17 September 2026. It is observed on the same fixed date every year, which was Arielle’s birthday, so the date does not change from one year to the next. While it is recognised primarily in the United States, the message of kindness it carries is something people can mark wherever they live.
Why National Arielle K. Sterrett Day Matters
At its heart, the day is a reminder that small gestures can have a lasting effect. Kindness is increasingly recognised as good for both the giver and the receiver: research from organisations such as the Mental Health Foundation links acts of kindness to reduced stress, improved mood and a stronger sense of connection to others. A day built around remembering one young person who tried to make life better for those around her gives that idea a human face.
It also matters because it shows how a family can respond to tragedy by creating something positive. By inviting others to take part, Arielle’s relatives have turned a private loss into a shared, hopeful occasion. For schools, families and communities, it offers a gentle prompt to slow down, notice the people around them and do something thoughtful.
How to Get Involved in National Arielle K. Sterrett Day
Taking part is simple and costs little or nothing. Here are some ways to mark the day:
- Perform a random act of kindness – Pay for a stranger’s coffee, leave an encouraging note, or help someone carrying heavy bags. The act does not need to be grand to be meaningful.
- Be kind to animals – Arielle’s day specifically includes kindness to animals, so consider volunteering at a shelter, donating pet food, or simply caring for a creature in need.
- Reach out to someone you have lost touch with – A short message, call or visit can brighten someone’s whole week and rebuild a connection.
- Give a small, thoughtful gift – A cup of tea, a handwritten card or a favourite snack shows someone you were thinking of them.
- Volunteer your time – Offer a few hours to a local charity, community garden or environmental clean-up, causes Arielle cared about during her school years.
- Compliment people genuinely – Telling a colleague, friend or stranger something kind and specific can shift their entire day.
- Share Arielle’s story – Tell others why the day exists so the message of kindness reaches further.
- Post your good deed online – Use the hashtag #ForHer to share what you did and inspire others to join in.
History of National Arielle K. Sterrett Day
Arielle K. Sterrett was born on 17 September 1999 and grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia. As a senior at North Cobb High School she was remembered by classmates and teachers as kind, driven and deeply involved in school life. According to her school’s student newspaper, The Chant, she was a lacrosse player and a Magnet programme student who took part in a range of campaigns, from environmental clubs to an anti-bullying committee. She was widely described as someone who looked out for others.
Arielle passed away in October 2017, at the age of 18. In the year that followed, her mother, Michelle Rojas-Sterrett, established a day in her name and chose 17 September, Arielle’s birthday, as its date. The intention was to ensure that the anniversary of her birth would be remembered each year not with sadness alone, but with deliberate acts of goodwill that reflected the way she had lived.
Since its creation around 2018, the day has been picked up by national awareness-day calendars and shared across social media, where supporters use the hashtag #ForHer to document their kindnesses. It remains a grassroots observance rather than a government holiday, kept alive largely by Arielle’s family, her former school community and people who connect with its simple, generous message.
Noteworthy Facts About National Arielle K. Sterrett Day
- The date, 17 September, was chosen because it was Arielle’s birthday.
- The day was founded by Arielle’s mother, Michelle Rojas-Sterrett.
- Arielle was a student at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.
- The official hashtag for sharing acts of kindness is #ForHer.
- Unusually for a kindness day, it explicitly encourages kindness towards animals as well as people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Arielle K. Sterrett Day?
It is an annual day of kindness held in memory of Arielle K. Sterrett, a teenager from Kennesaw, Georgia. Founded by her mother, it encourages people to perform random acts of kindness for both people and animals.
When is National Arielle K. Sterrett Day in 2026?
It takes place on Thursday, 17 September 2026, and on 17 September every year, as this was Arielle’s birthday.
How did National Arielle K. Sterrett Day start?
After Arielle passed away in October 2017, her mother, Michelle Rojas-Sterrett, created the day in the following year to honour her memory and to encourage others to spread kindness in her name.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Arielle K. Sterrett Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtag #ForHer on social media when you share your act of kindness. The more people who know about the day, the more good it can inspire.
Related Awareness Days
- World Kindness Day – The largest international celebration of kindness, marked each November with good deeds across the globe.
- National Feel the Love Day – Another September observance encouraging people to show appreciation and warmth to those around them.
- National Be An Angel Day – A day dedicated to doing good things for others without expecting anything in return.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
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