'One of the greatest honors': Opal Lee celebrates Nobel Peace Prize nomination despite not winning award
FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth's Opal Lee known as "The Grandmother of Juneteenth" was not selected as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize this year.
Early Friday morning Norwegian Nobel Committee announced its decision to award the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize to human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, the Russian human rights organization Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties.
READ MORE: Nobel Peace Prize to activists from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine
Fort Worth's Opal Lee on Nobel Prize Nomination
Opal Lee was one of more than 300 nominees for the award that was ultimately given to human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, the Russian human rights organization Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties.
Lee, who spent years attempting to get Juneteenth, the day in 1865 that slaves in Texas found out they had been freed, recognized as a federal holiday was one of more than 300 nominees for the award.
Early Friday morning Opal Lee and a small group of people watched the results at Paris Coffee Shop in Fort Worth.
"I want to thank the Norwegian Nobel Committee for consideration," said Lee in a speech following the announcement. "Just being nominated is one of the greatest honors and says WE have a chance to sit at the table."
"I hope that the last few years of my life are an example for young people, not just in Fort Worth, but all over, so that they know they can do anything at any age," she continued.
"Just because I wasn't selected doesn't mean the work is done," Lee said. "We will continue walking and talking and showing others how important conversations like Juneteenth are to history and change."
Hundreds join Opal Lee in her annual Juneteenth Walk for Freedom
Across the country this weekend, people are recognizing the significance of Juneteenth. In Fort Worth, hundreds join the grandmother of Juneteenth, Ms. Opal Lee, in her annual 2.5 mile walk to recognize the 2.5 years it took for the news of freedom to reach Texas.
READ MORE: Opal Lee discusses National Juneteenth Museum set to open in Fort Worth
President Joe Biden invited Miss Lee to the White House for the ceremony where the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed into law in 2021.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 17: (L-R) Ninety-four-year-old activist and retired educator Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, speaks with U.S. President Joe Biden after he signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law in the Eas
Lee is also a pivotal player in the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth’s historic south side neighborhood, opening in 2024.
Lee was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Fort Worth Congressman Marc Veasey. 32 other members of Congress signed on to the nomination.
Friday also happens to be Opal Lee's 96th birthday.
But Lee is not resting. She’s continuing her birthday celebration with a weekend of service.
"We will continue to celebrate all weekend," she said. "So come walk with me tomorrow from the food bank to the farm."
