Colleagues,
In recognition of Juneteenth, our Chapter office will be closed on Friday, June 19. While this closure aligns with the state holiday, it also offers us an important moment to pause and reflect on the deeper meaning of this day.
Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally learned of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It stands as a reminder that freedom, justice, and equality have never arrived all at once in this country, but through struggle, persistence, and the courage of those who demanded to be seen and heard.
As union members, we understand that rights are not given; they are fought for, protected, and expanded through collective action. Juneteenth invites us to honor the generations who pushed this nation closer to its ideals and to recognize the work that still lies ahead. Celebrating Juneteenth today means recommitting ourselves to fairness, dignity, and the belief that every person deserves the full measure of freedom.
We encourage you to take time on June 19 to reflect, learn, and engage with the history and ongoing significance of this day.
In solidarity,
Kat
Kathleen Kielar
Chapter President
UUP Buffalo Center