How the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth' sparked a national movement

Key Points:

• Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” played a pivotal role in the federal recognition of Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, 161 years ago, becoming a federal holiday in 2021.
• At 99, Lee has shared her activism journey in her memoir “A Committee of One,” reflecting on her childhood Juneteenth celebrations, the trauma of racial violence, and decades of community work including education, food security, and employment for the formerly incarcerated.
• In 2016, Lee symbolically walked 2.5 miles from Fort Worth to Washington, DC, representing the delay between the Emancipation Proclamation and the actual freedom of enslaved people, a campaign that helped gather over 1.6 million signatures leading to the holiday’s federal recognition.
• Lee emphasizes that Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom for all people, not just Black Americans or Texans, and promotes it as a “daily practice” of kindness, advocacy, and community support, with annual events including walks, festivals, and educational programs.
• Looking ahead to her 100th birthday, Lee envisions extending Juneteenth celebrations through July 4th to unite the holidays as a “completion of the freedom story,” highlighting the ongoing journey toward full freedom and equality.