Honoring Juneteenth: Shifting the conversation with Freda Pearlman

At Sabre, we are committed to embracing and celebrating our diversity. In this inclusion & engagement series, Shifting the Conversation, our people share their stories to engage in open dialog and shed light on their broad, rich and unique perspectives. In honor of Juneteenth, Freda Perlman, a member of our global BGOLD inclusion group and a Principal Account Manager on the partner solutions team, shares how her family’s legacy of strength and resilience continues to guide her purpose, perspective and passion for travel. 

I am a traveler at heart. I started traveling when I was young. As the youngest of six children, I was the designated babysitter. During the summers, I was fortunate to visit military bases both in the U.S. and abroad. It gave me a taste of adventure and exposed me to other cultures at an early age. After teaching for several years after college, I realized it wasn’t my cup of tea. I began working part-time as a ticket agent for American TransAir at the Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida. That’s when I realized I loved helping travelers and learning about their journeys.  

My passion for travel only grew from there. I later joined the travel technology industry, which eventually led me to Sabre, where I’ve proudly built a 26-year career. I’ve navigated my path through GetThere, Airline Solutions, Travelocity, Travel Solutions and now Partner Solutions. Each chapter brought new lessons and renewed my love for this industry. Travel isn’t just about movement from point A to point B, it’s about connection and the continuous discovery of who we are and who we can become. My experiences have shaped who I am, and I look forward to many more adventures and connections.  

The travel industry is constantly evolving as new trends and technologies continuously change the way we travel. I feel not only optimistic but deeply inspired about my future in this dynamic field. I see myself growing alongside companies that welcome change, value diversity and recognize the richness of different perspectives. My passion for travel and connection isn’t just professional; it’s personal, grounded in the example my parents set for me growing up.  

From an early age my parents taught me the importance of hard work and kindness. My father was the first black police officer in the small town where I grew up. Some years later, my mother became the first black female officer at the same police station. As I grew older, the stories of their struggles in law enforcement stayed with me for years. I remember watching my mom go to work every day, even when it was hard for her. She showed me that dedication is key to success and my dad always encouraged me to believe in myself. Through their struggles, they instilled in me the importance of respecting everyone, no matter their skin color. It doesn’t matter where someone comes from or what they look like; we all deserve kindness and understanding. As I think about my career, I realize that their values shape my decisions.  

As we honor Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom, resilience and progress, I carry forward the lessons of those who came before me. Their strength fuels my journey, and their devotion inspires me to keep building bridges through travel, one connection at a time.   

Sabre is shifting the conversation with stories from passionate and bold inclusion group members. At the heart of our inclusion & engagement efforts, our eight inclusion groups, and counting, aim to amplify the voices of our team members and create a sense of belonging for all. Together, we celebrate diversity, applaud individuality and embrace unique perspectives to empower our global team members to bring their true selves to work every day. Learn more about our inclusion & engagement mission.