In the spirit of freedom, achievement and racial equality, the Board of Commissioners and staff at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) came together to commemorate Juneteenth with flag raising ceremonies at its headquarters and seven water reclamation plants on June 13. Watch the video. 

“The Juneteenth flag symbolizes a compass that guides us through our history to the hard-fought struggles that marked the end of slavery in Galveston, Texas on June 19th, 1865, now recognized as Juneteenth,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Ultimately, we observe Juneteenth as a testament of the resilience and freedom of Black Americans. The MWRD is proud to be culturally diverse, and we mutually respect the lineage of all our staff and the communities we serve.”

The MWRD Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in 2020, making a trailblazing decision to approve plans that would allow employees to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday for the first time. From that point on, the MWRD has annually celebrated Juneteenth with flag raisings that recognize the holiday’s meaning and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in meeting the MWRD’s mission of protecting water quality and managing stormwater for 5.19 million residents living in Chicago and 128 neighboring municipalities. 

Although it was still 2.5 years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth commemorates the end to slavery in the United States. Deriving its name from combining "June" and "nineteenth," it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for enslaved persons of African descent in Texas. Originating in Galveston, Texas, the celebration of Juneteenth has grown steadily, especially during the Civil Rights Movement and into the 21st century. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, creating a federal holiday.

As part of its ambitious five-year Strategic Plan, the MWRD expanded the agency’s core values to include equity and diversity in addition to excellence, respect, innovation, safety and accountability. Through these values, the MWRD strives for fairness in its service with a workforce and work practices that reflect the diversity of the region, ensuring full access and participation of all groups in work, programs, contracts and services. 

“Our flag raisings serve as an opportunity to celebrate the occasion and educate our employees and residents on the history, purpose and values of Juneteenth,” said MWRD Commissioner Yumeka Brown. “Juneteenth gives all of us the opportunity to reflect on the nation’s history, the struggle for civil rights and continued work for equality, especially in our work to protect the region’s water environment that flows through the many communities we serve.”

The Juneteenth flag holds special meaning in its symbols. The star represents freedom for every Black American and pays homage to the lone star of Texas, where the last enslaved people were freed. The burst surrounding the star represents a new beginning for all, and the arc represents a new horizon of opportunities for African Americans.