Opal Lee is an American retired teacher, counselor, and activist in the movement to make Juneteenth a federally-recognized holiday. She is often described as the “grandmother of Juneteenth”. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed Senate Bill S. 475, making Juneteenth the eleventh federal holiday.
Opal Lee was born on October 7, 1926 (age 95 years), in Marshall, Texas, United States of America. She is known for her popular book Juneteeth: A Children’s Story. Opal Lee has been working to make Juneteenth a national holiday since 2016 when she began the “Opal’s Walk to D.C.” campaign. Lee walked for 2.5 miles in different areas of the country.
Where did Opal Lee go to high school?
Opal Lee attended I.M. Terrell High School, Fort Worth’s first black high school. She graduated high school in 1943 at the age of 16.
Where did Opal Lee go to college?
Opal Lee went to Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, and finished in three years and a half instead of the normal four years.
