News & Events

Juneteenth: A Day of Celebration, Reflection, and Action

In honor of Juneteenth, the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey will be closed on Friday, June 19. Our Board of Trustees, leadership team, and staff want to publicly recognize the significance of this date and set aside the day for celebration, reflection, and action.

Juneteenth, the oldest celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, honors the June date in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were informed of the end of the Civil War and their freedom. This announcement was made two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.

In 2020, the echoes of slavery continue to reverberate in our communities through police brutality, violence, and everyday acts of racism and bias. Black men, women, and children bear the burden of racism and implicit bias, which hinders freedom and advancement. But it is up to all Americans to work for justice and equity. Juneteenth is a day to celebrate freedom from slavery, reflect on these atrocities, acknowledge the impact of racism, and participate in civic engagement for the betterment of our country.

The Partnership is committed to advancing health equity. Our vision is that race and ethnicity will no longer be contributing factors to health care access and outcomes. Our initiatives for women, children, families, and health care professionals reflect this commitment. We will continue to create new programs that actively address implicit bias and systemic racism in maternal and child health to ensure the health of all families and best serve our target communities.

We encourage all Partnership supporters, donors, friends, and community members to honor this important day by listening, learning, volunteering, and taking action to help end systemic racism.

Learn more about Juneteenth.