Opal Lee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Opal Lee
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Lee in 2021
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| Born | October 7, 1926 Marshall, Texas, U.S.
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| Education | Wiley College (BA), North Texas State University (MA) |
| Occupation | Activist Counselor |
| Known for | "Grandmother of Juneteenth" |
Opal Lee (born October 7, 1926) is an amazing American teacher, counselor, and activist. She worked for many years to make Juneteenth a national holiday. People often call her the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" because of her hard work.
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law. This made Juneteenth the eleventh federal holiday in the United States. In 2024, President Biden gave Opal Lee the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest award a civilian can receive in the country.
Early Life and Challenges
Opal Lee was born in Marshall, Texas on October 7, 1926. She was the oldest of three children. When she was 10, her family moved to Fort Worth, Texas. They later settled in an area called Terrell Heights.
In June 1939, when Opal was 12, her parents bought a house. It was in a neighborhood that was mostly white at the time. On June 19, 1939, a group of people damaged and burned down her family's home. Years later, Opal Lee remembered this event. She said it made her understand that Juneteenth is more than just a celebration. It's a day to remember important history.
Opal Lee went to I.M. Terrell High School. This was the first high school for Black students in Fort Worth. She finished high school in 1943 when she was 16. She later got married and had four children.
A Career in Education
In 1952, Opal Lee earned her Bachelor's degree from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. She studied elementary education. She taught at Amanda McCoy Elementary School for 15 years. To support her children, she also worked at night at a company called Convair.
In 1967, she married Dale Lee. She was a teacher, and he was a school principal. Opal Lee continued her education at North Texas State University. There, she earned her Master's degree in Counseling and Guidance.
After getting her Master's, Opal Lee returned to Fort Worth. She worked as an educator for the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) for 15 years. She also spent nine years as a home school counselor before retiring in 1977. Even after retiring, she stayed active in her community. She joined many boards to help people. She is also a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. In recent years, she has received honorary doctorate degrees from two universities.
Fighting for Juneteenth
After retiring from teaching in 1976, Opal Lee became very involved in community work in Fort Worth. She helped start the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society. She also helped organize Fort Worth's yearly Juneteenth celebration.
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Opal Lee spent decades campaigning to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. She promoted her idea by walking 2.5 miles (about 4 kilometers) each year. This walk represented the 2.5 years it took for the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach Texas. When she was 89 years old, she took a symbolic walk from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. She started in September 2016 and arrived in January 2017. She hoped to talk to President Barack Obama about making Juneteenth a holiday.
Opal Lee didn't just march in Texas. She walked in many other states too. She promoted a petition on Change.org to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. This petition received 1.6 million signatures! She always believed it would happen. She said, "It's going to be a national holiday, I have no doubt about it. My point is let's make it a holiday in my lifetime."
In June 2021, at 94 years old, her dream came true. A bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday passed Congress. President Joe Biden signed it into law. Opal Lee was a special guest at the signing ceremony. She even received one of the pens President Biden used to sign the document. She got a standing ovation, and President Biden knelt to greet her.
Opal Lee is also helping with another important project. She is a founding board member of Transform 1012 N. Main Street. This group wants to turn an old building into the Fred Rouse Center and Museum for Arts and Community Healing. This center will be a place for art and healing in the community.
In 2021, The Dallas Morning News named Opal Lee "Texan of the Year." This was for her important work for Black Texans. She was also recognized for running a food bank, farm, and community garden during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
See also
In Spanish: Opal Lee para niños
