Juneteenth in Oregon facts for kids
Juneteenth is a special holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free. This was more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation!
In Oregon, a wonderful woman named Clara Peoples brought the Juneteenth celebration to the state in 1945. She was a worker at the Kaiser Shipyard. Over the years, thanks to her efforts, Juneteenth became officially recognized. The city of Portland recognized it in 1972, then the entire state of Oregon in 2013, and finally, it became a national holiday in 2021.
How Juneteenth Became a Holiday
Clara Peoples worked hard to get Juneteenth recognized. In 1972, the City of Portland officially recognized the holiday. Years later, in 2011, Portland's Mayor Sam Adams and Commissioner Amanda Fritz honored Clara Peoples. They gave her the special title of "Mother of Juneteenth."
In 2020, Juneteenth became an official holiday for employees of the City of Portland and Multnomah County. This was part of a plan to make things fairer for everyone.
Clara Peoples also teamed up with Avel Gordly, who was the first Black Oregonian Senator. Together, they worked to make Juneteenth a statewide holiday in 2001. Their efforts were successful, and the resolution passed.
Multnomah County first recognized Juneteenth in 2018. County Commissioner Loretta Smith helped make this happen. That event celebrated Senator Gordly and shared her story.
The Story of Clara Peoples
Clara Peoples, whose maiden name was Clara Mae Walker, was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on September 8, 1926. She moved to Vanport, Oregon, in 1945. She worked at the Kaiser Shipyards during World War 2, helping to build ships. It was there, in 1945, that she started a Juneteenth event.
In 1948, a big flood hit Vanport, and Clara's family lost their home. They moved to Northeast Portland. Clara then began organizing efforts to help feed people in her community. This grew into the Community Care Association in 1969. By the next year, the association was helping people from a building on NE Alberta Street.
Clara Peoples was a true pioneer. She and Arlene Grice were the first two Black elevator operators at the Eastern Department Store. She was also the first Black person to serve on the State Board of Agriculture. Later, she worked as a hall monitor at Adams High School.
Oregon politician Lew Frederick introduced bills in 2011 and 2013 to honor Clara Peoples. The bill was signed by the governor on May 1, 2013. This officially recognized her amazing contributions.
Clara Peoples passed away on October 5, 2015, at 89 years old. To honor her memory, the annual Juneteenth parade was renamed the "Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade" starting in 2016.
By 2020, Clara Peoples' granddaughter, Jenelle Jack, became the director of Juneteenth Oregon. She continues her grandmother's important work.
