WOEMA Celebrates Juneteenth 2024

WOEMA Celebrates Juneteenth  2024

Dear WOEMA Community,

Juneteenth commemorates June 19 1865, when news of of the end of slavery reached Galveston, Texas, almost two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth has been celebrated by the African American community since the late 1800s, though it was declared a national holiday only in 2021.

Juneteenth has special significance for WOEMA, as the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee, was initially announced as a Task Force on this day in 2020.

Today, Juneteenth is a time to celebrate freedom and the achievements of African American individuals and communities. It is also an important marker of historical injustices and the continuing struggle for constructive solutions to inequity faced by myriad workers and underserved populations.

In honor of Juneteenth, many workplaces and communities across the country host a range of educational and recreational events that pay homage to African American history, art, and culture. We encourage you to take the time to attend an event and celebrate this important holiday.