MEC HRE, Council 12 President Kimberly Burckhalter, & MEC Communications Committee Elect
This Friday, June 19, we recognize Juneteenth Freedom Day, a significant day in American history and a powerful reminder of resilience, liberation, and the ongoing fight for racial justice.
Juneteenth, a name combining “June” and “nineteenth,” marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. For many, Juneteenth represents the true end of chattel slavery in the United States and honors the strength, perseverance, and dignity of Black Americans whose stories have too often been overlooked or minimized in our nation’s history.
As Flight Attendants and Union Members, we recognize Juneteenth not only as a historical milestone, but as a continued call to stand for dignity, respect, equity, and justice. Our work connects people across cities, cultures, and communities, and our Union is strongest when every member is seen, valued, protected, and treated equally.
Juneteenth reminds us that freedom and justice have never been automatic. They have been fought for, defended, and carried forward by generations of people committed to a better future. As a Union, we honor that legacy by continuing to advocate for fairness, inclusion, and respect in our workplaces and throughout our industry.
On this Juneteenth, we honor the past, recognize the resilience of those who came before us, and recommit ourselves to building a future where all workers and all communities are treated with dignity and equality.
