Construction begins on Opal Lee’s new home in Fort Worth
Construction begins on Opal Lee’s new home in Fort Worth
The Fort Worth woman known as the grandmother of Juneteenth will soon get back what a mob of angry white men took away from her family decades ago.
FORT WORTH, Texas - The Fort Worth woman known as the grandmother of Juneteenth will soon get back what a mob of angry white men took away from her family decades ago.
Construction began Thursday on a new home for Dr. Opal Lee.
In place of a ribbon cutting, it was a board sawing, with 97-year-old Lee front and center.
Her story starts in Fort Worth back on June 19, 1939.
That’s when she said a racist mob burned down her family’s home because they were angry a black family had moved into their neighborhood.
The day would later come to define Lee’s life.
"Hate tore the house down, love is going to build the house," one person said.
Decades later, she began her advocacy work to give Juneteenth national recognition.
And in 2021, the day marking the official end of slavery in the United States officially became a federal holiday.
Fort Worth’s Opal Lee attends White House signing of Juneteenth bill
After years of persistence and hundreds of miles walked, 94-year-old Opal Lee's mission to make Juneteenth a federal holiday has become a reality. She was even able to see her hard work brought to life in person.
But Lee never gave up hope of one day owning the lot where her family once lived.
The Trinity Habitat for Humanity, which most recently owned the lot, generously gifted her the property for $10. Texas Capital, along with HistoryMaker Homes, are working to build her new home for free.
Organizers said the project is about giving back to someone who has given so much during her life.
"If you’ve heard her speak about her family’s story, and the tragedies she’s lived through, and the racism she’s faced in this city, this is our chance to completely start over," Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said.
Opal Lee, the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' hosts annual walk in Fort Worth
Thousands across the country are honoring Juneteenth in different ways. In North Texas, many are set to hit the pavement to celebrate with the woman who helped make it a federal holiday.
"Dr. Opal Lee has given so much to our community and our nation, and has been a tireless, lifelong advocate for racial equity and justice. We are proud to be able to give something back to her to honor her life’s work," said Effie Dennison, Texas Capital’s head of Community Development and the president of the Texas Capital Foundation.
"Our goal with every home we build is to create a place where owners can feel a sense of pride, and we are deeply honored to be part of such a meaningful project," said Nelson Mitchell, the CEO of HistoryMaker Homes. "Dr. Lee represents the very best of our community and our nation in her determination for racial justice, and there is no better way to express our profound gratitude than through her new home. Alongside our more than 50 partners and trades, our entire team at HistoryMaker is proud to work together on this momentous home build."
Volunteers from the three organizations will work on the home’s construction.
Lee was involved in the planning. She picked out her new flooring, fixtures, and lighting, organizers said.
"Thank you so much. Thank you so much. I don’t know how to say it, I’m a happy camper. All this you’re doing, I hope I can keep on walking and talking and telling people we are all one people," Lee said.
On this day, there is joy, and a very poignant target for a move-in date.
"I don’t know if June 19th sounds like a good move-in date, but I think that’s what we’re targeting," Mitchell added.