Opal Lee has long been an activist for making Juneteenth a federal holiday, but the Fort Worth native has done so much more.
She was a teacher in the segregated Fort Worth school system while working another job and night to take care of her four children, all the while running a food bank that over 50 years, fed untold thousands.
As such, the Dallas Morning News recently recognized Lee as their 2021 "Texan of the Year."
[shortcode-inline-related expand="1" link="/987thespot/latest/opal-lee-honored-with-portrait-in-state-capitol" headline="Opal Lee, the "Godmother of Juneteenth" honored with portrait in State Capitol" image="/media-library/image.jpg?id=64115592"]The paper stated, "In a life that has now marked 95 years in a country where she was born with every disadvantage except for the love and support of her family and her own indomitable determination to live fully for others, Opal Lee has changed her community. She has changed this state. She has changed our country. We are all better because she has been among us."
An honor very well deserved!
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