Butler YWCA to host first Juneteenth potluck
This Monday, June 19 — Juneteenth, the federal holiday marking the official end of slavery in the United States — Butler’s YWCA will host its first Juneteenth potluck from 5 to 7 p.m.
“We really hope it’s going to be a night of good food, fellowship, music,” said Elizabeth Short, executive director of the Butler YWCA. “It’s a public dinner, so everyone’s invited to bring a dish.”
While the YWCA will serve as host for the potluck, the event is organized by the Butler Clergy Network Anti-Racist Focus Group.
“I was asked to be a part of that group and support them because our missions align, and we have a space for them to use, so everything worked out,” Short said.
Butler’s YWCA will host its first Juneteenth potluck from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 19 — Juneteenth, the federal holiday marking the official end of slavery in the United States
“We really hope it’s going to be a night of good food, fellowship, music,” Elizabeth Short, executive director of the Butler YWCA, said. “It’s a public dinner, so everyone’s invited to bring a dish.”
While the YWCA will serve as host for the potluck, the event is organized by the Butler Clergy Network Anti-Racist Focus Group.
“I was asked to be a part of that group and support them because our missions align, and we have a space for them to use, so everything worked out,” Short said.
Cantor Michal Gray-Schaffer of the B’nai Abraham synagogue in Butler is one of the religious leaders involved in the planning of the event. B’nai Abraham is an active member of both the Butler Clergy Network and its Anti-Racist Focus Group.
“We have been a very active part of the Butler Clergy Network. We have been meeting weekly since the George Floyd event,” Gray-Schaffer said. “The focus group also has many lay people. In fact, it’s mostly lay people. It’s not just spiritual leaders.”
Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 25, 2020. His death prompted a series of nationwide protests against police brutality, especially incidents related to Black people.
According to Gray-Schaffer, the focus group is also being represented at the event by members of St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Butler, as well as the Ginger Hill Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Slippery Rock.
The YWCA first started collaborating with the focus group earlier this year, starting with February’s “Love Your Neighbor” gathering. The catalyst for the event was a controversial billboard on Route 422 in Butler County which read, “FBI corrupt and dangerous - THE GESTAPO” and featured a large swastika. The billboard’s owner later removed the swastika.
“That’s where we determined that our missions aligned and that we wanted to continue working together,” Short said. “YWCA’s mission is ‘Eliminating racism and empowering women.’ So, a holiday like Juneteenth is very important to our mission.”
The potluck will take place in the Preston Room of the Butler YWCA building on West Cunningham Street, and is open to the public. All are encouraged to bring a dish to share. The music will come from the Justice Choir Songbook.
