From June 18 to 20, about 20 retired members of the AFT gathered in Houston for union organizing training and a special Juneteenth celebration. The group, part of the AFT Retirees Legacy Initiative (RLI), planned to participate in the Opal Walk campaign, inspired by Opal Lee, who in 2016, at age 89, walked from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, DC, to advocate for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday. This dream became a reality in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the legislation into law. The group was organized by members of Texas AFT Retirees Plus.
Members of the AFT Retiree Legacy Initiative gathered in Houston to celebrate Juneteenth.
Representing a diverse group of retirees committed to social justice, RLI members had intended to honor Lee’s legacy with a walk through Galveston. Lee walks 2.5 miles each year, symbolizing the 2.5 years it took slaves in Texas to find freedom after the Emancipation Proclamation. However, tropical storm rains forced the group to change plans. Instead, they walked 2.5 miles at the Houston Galleria, organizing conversations, sharing stories, and learning from each other’s experiences. They also visited the Houston Museum of African American Culture to gain a deeper understanding of local history.
The retirees visited the Houston Museum of African American Culture to gain a deeper understanding of local history.
Melondia Franklin Corpus, a member of the Florida Education Association Retirement Chapter and member of RLI, explained why she got involved with the effort: “When I understood the vision and mission of this effort, I thought this was really important. We need to know our history, our true history, not what they want us to know. If you don’t know where you come from, how can you know where you’re going?”
Franklin-Copus shared her personal experiences of discrimination as a mixed race person, emphasizing the importance of embracing your identity despite societal expectations. “You don’t have to fit into what other people think you should be,” she said. “You can create your own character. I’ve always learned to walk to my own rhythm.”
Lisa Y. Wilson, who retired from the United Teachers Union in New York City after a 38-year career in early childhood education, echoed the importance of organizing and sharing stories. “It’s crucial to remind people of the importance of unions and organized labor,” she said. “People need to understand that they are active participants and that they need to get others involved and stay engaged.”
Wilson also values the opportunity to speak openly about her story. “One of the great things about being a part of RLI is that I can share it even if it makes other people uncomfortable,” she says. “My story is my story, and even if it hurts your feelings, it still needs to be told.”
Members of the AFT Retiree Legacy Initiative had just completed a 2.5-mile walk symbolizing the two and a half years it took slaves in Texas to know their freedom after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Lynette Lazarus, a former school nurse and member of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Retirees Chapter, emphasized the importance of equity and inclusion, saying, “We have to honor and respect everyone.”
Frank Roeder, a retired behavioral therapist and member of the Florida Education Association Retired Chapter, said he was honored to join RLI as an advocate. “I want to be on the right side of history,” he said, reflecting on the importance of standing together with his peers.
Viola Curry, a teacher in Philadelphia for more than 20 years, found RLI to be a healing experience. Though she was hesitant at first, she grew more comfortable telling the group her true history and emotional experiences. “It’s a safe place where I can express my feelings without judgement,” said Curry, who is also a member of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers’ Retired Chapter. “Being in Houston on Juneteenth is important in helping me understand how our history has impacted not only us, but our peers and others.”
Though tropical storms derailed their original plans, RLI members made the most of their time in Houston, using their voices to advocate for social justice and celebrate a pivotal moment in American history. Their stories, told with authenticity and passion, highlighted the importance of remembering the past in order to build a better future.
[Adrienne Coles]
