Vibrant Celebrations & A History of Resistance
by Angel Barbosa, YWCA Intern
June is officially here, bringing us not only the warmth of summer but also the undeniable energy in the streets with upcoming celebrations. This month, we are reflecting on the history of resistance as we celebrate the vibrancy of Pride while commemorating Juneteenth. These two monumental events, despite coming from two different points of our history, share the same core of resilience: a fierce demand for human rights and the beautiful and unapologetic celebration of identities.
June 19th, 1865 marks the day when the last enslaved groups of African Americans in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation proclamation was issued. Although it only recently became a federal holiday, celebration of Juneteenth began long before.
Opal Lee, also known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” was instrumental in pushing for the informal celebration of Juneteenth to become a national holiday. At the age of 89, Ms. Opal Lee started her campaign, capturing the nation's attention as she walked 1,400 miles, starting from her home in Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. She traveled this massive distance 2.5 miles a day, a deliberate choice to symbolize the two and a half years it took for the news of freedom to finally reach Texas. During her walk, Ms. Lee gathered over 1.5 million signatures in support of making Juneteenth a national holiday. After decades of hard work and dedication, on June 17, 2021, we saw the fruit of her perseverance when former President Joe Biden signed the bill to officially make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Juneteenth isn’t the only holiday to look forward to in June, as this month is also dedicated to Pride. While we celebrate the vibrant tapestry of love and visibility, it is also important to remember its root, as Pride month began not as a parade but as a riot against police brutality. On June 28th, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, one of the popular gay bars in NYC and marked the start of the six days of protests, as thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies rallied to protests police harassment and discrimination. The first official Pride parade started the following year on the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, where thousands of people flooded the streets of New York City.
Many of us today live our lives at the intersection of these two histories. That is why it is important to recognize not just our own, but the experiences of others. Our experiences are not separate but are beautifully interconnected.
One of the ways we share and honor these stories is through art. YWCA Mahoning Valley recognizes this vibrant energy taking shape across our community and invites you to check out our 44th annual ‘Women Artists: A Celebration!’ art show. This exhibition supports and showcases women’s art, along with raising funds for the YWCA housing program. The show includes art series events and a celebration party for artists that is open to the public.
Upcoming Juneteenth Events
Juneteenth: Wellness in the Workplace, Wednesday, June 17 at 5 PM at YWCA, 25 W. Rayen Ave. Youngstown, OH
Youngstown Juneteenth Weeklong Celebration
Juneteenth Service at First Presbyterian Church of Warren: June 18 at 7 PM
Upcoming PRIDE Events
Pride in the Valley Parade & Festival: June 20 from 12 PM – 10 PM, downtown square Warren, OH
Pride Youngstown: June 27 from 12 – 9 PM downtown Youngstown
Upcoming YWCA Events
Women Artists: A Celebration! Show dates: June 26 – July 24
Women Artists: A Celebration! Celebration Party: July 9 from 6 – 8 PM