Minnesota NOW

Minnesota NOW is a multi-issue, grassroots organization that’s been fighting for equality and justice since 1971

Feminism in Action

Donate Join NOW

  • About
  • Get Involved
    • Attend an Event
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer/Intern with Us
  • Issues
    • Constitutional Equality
    • Economic Justice
    • Freedom from Violence
    • LGBTQ Rights
    • Racial Justice
    • Reproductive Rights
  • News
  • Foundation
    • Planned Giving
  • PAC
    • MN NOW PAC – Candidates
    • Candidates Seeking Endorsement
  • Chapters
    • Fergus Falls Area NOW
    • Minnesota Valley NOW
    • MSP NOW
    • Sherburne-Wright NOW
    • South Central MN NOW
    • St. Croix Valley Alliance NOW
  • Conferences
    • 2021 State Conference
    • 2021 National Conference

June 18, 2020 by NOW National

NOW Honors Juneteenth

Released on June 19, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, June 19th, the National Organization for Women recognizes Juneteenth, a holiday honoring the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people were free in Texas. Although Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, this day marks the liberation of 250,000 Texans.   

On June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger publicly read General Order No. 3, which stated: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” This day quickly grew to become a holiday within Black communities that included food, dance, and community celebration and acknowledgment.  

President Trump tried to hijack this day of celebration by holding a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a city with its own history of violent racism – in 1921 white citizens killed and wounded several hundred African Americans, destroying their homes and businesses. Although he ultimately moved the date, this thoughtless act further proves how little he cares for the Black community.   

Juneteenth honors a time in our nation’s history when our country began the process of undoing the impact of centuries of slavery, and our work still continues today to dismantle structural racism. Our country is at a crossroads, and we must create a more just and equal society, especially for the Black community. Non-Black allies not only need to reconcile their own biases to become better allies but dismantle forms of complicity that perpetuate racial oppression.  

At the National Organization for Women, we are committed to antiracist feminism. We know that women of color will not be free unless we are intentionally being both anti-sexist and anti-racist. Every aspect of our work, from reproductive justice to constitutional equality, is motivated by our desire to include and honor women of color. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,

About NOW National

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Search

Upcoming Events

  1. International Women’s Day with ERA MN

    March 8
  2. Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day with UnRestrictMN

    March 12
  3. Sustainability Committee Meeting

    March 13 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
  4. MN NOW State Conference

    April 10

View All Events

Trailblazers come in many colors!

Women Trailblazers
MN Suffrage
Suffrage Frustration in 1800s
Suffrage Takes off in 1900s
Suffrage Is Revolution
Sisters in Suffrage
Prohibition & Suffrage
Native Americans & Suffrage

Get Minnesota NOW Updates

Minnesota NOW

Minnesota NOW is a multi-issue, grassroots organization that’s been fighting for equality and justice since 1971.

Learn more about us.

Contact

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 912
Burnsville, MN 55337

E-Mail
mnnow@mnnow.org

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Handcrafted with by Mapped Digital. NOW Chapter Websites Reinvented.