Juneteenth has always been more than a holiday to me. It’s a reminder that freedom came at a cost, and that generations of people endured hardship and sacrifice so that those who came after them could have opportunities they never did.
This year, I’ve been thinking a lot about family and history.
One of the images that always stops me is a portrait of Jeremiah and Venus Tilghman, taken around 1850. They were husband and wife, enslaved in Baltimore County, Maryland. Looking at their faces, I can’t help but think about what they experienced, what they survived, and what they hoped their children and grandchildren would one day achieve.
I also recently visited the Maryland State House, where the swords of Tench Tilghman are on display. One is believed to have been carried during the Revolutionary War while serving as one of George Washington’s closest aides. The other, according to family tradition, was passed down through generations of the family.
Standing there, I was reminded that history isn’t just something we read about. It’s something we inherit. Every generation receives a responsibility from those who came before them.
Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is not self-sustaining. Every generation must do its part to protect it, expand it, and make it meaningful for the people who come next.
Today, that responsibility includes participating in our democracy.
The men and women who fought for freedom, civil rights, and voting rights did not make those sacrifices so we would sit on the sidelines. They fought so our voices could be heard and our votes could matter.
That’s why I encourage every eligible voter in District 25 to make a plan to vote in the Democratic Primary on June 23, 2026.
Whether you’re supporting me or another candidate, show up. Participate. Make your voice heard. The future of our communities depends on the people who take the time to engage.
The story of Jeremiah and Venus Tilghman reminds us where we’ve been. The right to vote reminds us of how far we’ve come. What we do with that right will help determine where we go next.
As we celebrate Juneteenth, let’s honor those who came before us not only with words, but with action.
Register. Vote. Participate.
Because freedom isn’t just something we remember. It’s something we exercise.
Happy Juneteenth.
Anthony Tilghman
Candidate for Maryland House of Delegates, District 25