Honoring Juneteenth, A Note to New Grads & Ways to Take Action!

Dear OPHA Members, Partners, and Colleagues,

This Friday, June 19th, we observe Juneteenth, a day that holds deep significance in the history of this country and in the ongoing work of public health.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and delivered the news that enslaved people were free, more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. That delay was not an oversight. It was the product of deliberate suppression, and the people of Texas were among the last to have freedom reach them. What we mark on Juneteenth is not simply the end of slavery. It is a reminder that freedom declared is not always freedom delivered, and that the work of building a just and equitable society is ongoing.

For those of us in public health, Juneteenth carries particular weight. The legacy of racial injustice in this country is inseparable from the health disparities we work to address every day. We honor this day by showing up: in community, in advocacy, and in the work. Find out about Juneteenth events across Oregon here--some organizations are still seeking volunteers, what a meaningful way to show up.

Happy Graduation to Our Newest Public Health Professionals! 

To everyone who just crossed the stage or is about to: congratulations. You chose a field that matters, and we are so glad you are here.

Graduation can feel like an ending, but it is really a beginning, and one of the best things you can do right now is stay connected to your community. OPHA is a home for public health professionals at every stage of their career, and there has never been a better time to join us. We are building out our job and internship board so members have access to meaningful opportunities, expanding our special interest sections to host webinars and sessions that deepen expertise and connection, and stepping up our advocacy work at a moment when public health needs strong, unified voices more than ever.

This is the community you trained for. Come be part of it.

And here is the best part: new graduates get their first year of OPHA membership completely free. Please email Heather Daniel for the code to use at checkout.

Take Action: Tell Congress to Oppose the Proposed OMB Rule

On May 29, 2026, the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (OMB-2026-0034) that would fundamentally reshape how federal grants are awarded and continued across every department and agency, including all of HHS. The scope is significant: this rule would politicize grant funding and regulate the non-grant activities of organizations receiving federal dollars.

If you haven't already, we encourage you to send a letter to your members of Congress before the July 13th deadline. You can also sign up to learn more through our friends at Defend Public Health, who are tracking this closely and making it easy to stay informed and engaged. 

Get Involved: OPHA Special Interest Sections 

OPHA is actively restructuring and revamping our special interest sections, and we need you. Whether you want to get more involved in an existing section or you have an idea for a section that doesn't yet exist, I want to hear from you. There is real energy and interest out there, and this is a moment to channel it. Please reach out to me directly at  [email protected].

Member Perk: Columbia Store Discount

A quick reminder: OPHA members have access to a discount at the Columbia Store in Portland through the end of June. If you are an OPHA member, the flyer you'll need to get in was attached in a previous email. If you need another one, please email Heather Daniel.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Juneteenth. Rest, reflect, and celebrate the community we are building together.

With gratitude,

Valerie Striplin, MPH (She/Her)
Executive Director
Oregon Public Health Association | [email protected]

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Have an announcement, event, or opportunity to share with Oregon’s public health community? Send submissions for our newsletter to Heather Daniel at [email protected]