LIMA, OH (WLIO) - In an effort to reach more people and share information on a variety of topics, the Mercy Health St. Rita's Community Impact Team has been holding events. On Wednesday, they were sharing the story of Juneteenth with other members of the Mercy Health team and the public.
It became a federal holiday in 2021 after Miss Opal Lee, of Texas, started to advocate for the holiday in 2016. It wasn't until June 19th, 1865, that slaves in Texas were freed, some two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The community team wanted to educate people about the journey to freedom.
"It's about celebrating how far we've come as far as African Americans, or the Black community. Where we look at the celebrations where we've come from and the celebrating of where we're at now," explained Margaret Sumpter, clinical manager for behavioral services.
In celebration, those attending shared stories, took photos, and had a prayer to commemorate the National Juneteenth Independence Day Act.
