Honoring Juneteenth

On Sunday, June 19th, we honor a momentous event: Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans in the state of Texas were freed in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, issued two and a half years earlier.

Commemorating Juneteenth at VNS Health

Last year, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Today, I’m pleased to share that, beginning in 2023, Juneteenth will become an official VNS Health holiday, bringing the total number of paid holidays to nine. For more information, please refer to these Frequently Asked Questions.

I’m also pleased to announce that we will once again commemorate Juneteenth with a virtual event, which will take place on Tuesday, June 21st from 11 AM to 1 PM. The event will include a presentation by guest speaker Dr. CarolAnn Daniel, Professor of Social Work at Adelphi University, on Juneteenth, the racial system we have inherited, and what is needed to create change. A link for the event is posted below — I hope you’ll be able to attend.

Zoom link to June 21st Juneteenth event:
https://vnsny.zoom.us/j/91626913333?from=addon

In closing, I’d like to share this quote from New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie:

“Juneteenth may mark just one moment in the struggle for emancipation, but the holiday gives us an occasion to reflect on the profound contributions of enslaved Black Americans to the cause of human freedom.”

Thank you for joining me in honoring this important and historic day.

Dan Savitt
President and Chief Executive Officer