Commemorate Juneteenth in the workplace
The History of Juneteenth
Juneteenth, Jubilee Day, is the oldest national holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Dating back to June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston declaring the war had ended and over 200,000 slaves in Texas free. This came two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 which had little impact on Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops available to enforce the Executive Order. Over time, the day grew to be celebrated with rodeos, fishing, barbecuing, baseball, picnics, and prayer services.
General Order from Major-General Granger:
Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston, Texas, June 19, 1865: The people are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore (before now) existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired laborer. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present home and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere. - By order of Major-General Granger
Juneteenth becomes a national and state holiday
On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday through the efforts of Al Edwards, an African American state legislator. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. This, paired with the sweeping protests against racial injustice in 2020, created a phenomenal growth rate for the holiday compared to the early 1900’s when economic and cultural forces led to a decline in Juneteenth activities. Institutions such as the Smithsonian, Henry Ford Museum and others have begun sponsoring Juneteenth-centered activities. In recent years, a number of local and national Juneteenth organizations have joined.
How to recognize Juneteenth and how it impacts women in the workplace
In a 2020 survey conducted by Harvard Business Review, just 41% of American workers knew about Juneteenth prior to 2020, however recognition jumped to 71% in May 2021. With that said, it’s important to continue our education and recognition of Juneteenth in the workplace to reduce the pay gap, while cultivating knowledge and appreciation for African American history and culture.
It would take Black women nine extra months to close the pay gap with white men. In census data analyzed by the American Association of University Women, Black women made 58 cents for every dollar a white man made in 2020. This gap is also recognized annually on National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day on September 21.
Ways to commemorate Juneteenth:
Support or host a community Juneteenth festival, parade or event
Advance your knowledge of the holiday through books, colleagues, museums, and exhibits
Donate to an organization that supports Black women and their education or career
Improve your company’s DEI efforts or host a DEI workshop
When employers acknowledge and honor Juneteenth and other cultural holidays, we see tremendous growth in our society and make great strides in improving company culture.
AAUW.org: “Equal Pay Day calendar.” “Black Women and the Pay Gap.”
Ella Ceron and Donald Moore. “What is Juneteenth and How Did It Become a US Holiday?,” Bloomberg, 2023.
Ella F. Washington and Jasmine Sanders. “How Your Organization Can Recognize Juneteenth,” Harvard Business Review, 2021.
Juneteenth.com: “History of Juneteenth.”
Orlando Mayorquin. “What is #BlackWomensEqualPayDay? And why it is today? What to know, USA Today, 2022.