Willow Laverty
Director, Employee Engagement
Each June, Pride month recognizes and celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community around the world. It also honors the 1969 Stonewall uprising and is an opportunity to raise awareness of issues still facing this community.
On June 19, Pride month intersects with Juneteenth—a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and the achievements of African-Americans in this county. Juneteenth is also known as our second Independence Day and is an occasion to be honored by all Americans. This year is notable as the first Juneteenth recognized as a holiday at Bancroft, based on the feedback from our employees and the DE&I Council. The holiday will be honored on Monday, June 20th given that the Juneteenth occurs on Sunday this year.
Both Pride Month and Juneteenth are born out of struggle and the fight for human rights, equality, and belonging. This month is a time for reflection and rejoicing on the progress made but also the hope for progress needed yet still to come.
When we embrace the richness, diversity, and complexity of our shared history, the better we become together as a nation and as a community here at Bancroft.
