Opal Lee
Activist
Community leader and social activist recognized by some as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth." She began her professional activism career in the 1970's after she retired from teaching.
She attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, where she received her bachelor's degree. She later earned her master's degree at North Texas State University.
In June 2021, at the age of 94, she was an honored guest at the Juneteenth bill signing ceremony where she stood alongside Joe Biden.
She lived in Marshall, Texas as a child before moving to Fort Worth.
During her political career, she has worked alongside figures such as Ann Richards and former president Barack Obama.