Opal Lee, the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' getting a new home for her 97th birthday
FORT WORTH, Texas - The ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth’ is turning 97 years old this weekend, and her community in Fort Worth is celebrating with two days of events.
Ms. Opal Lee, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, fought and won for the recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday. This weekend, she is being honored for her dedication and determination.
The party got started Friday morning with some special birthday shoutouts.
"I’m thankful for all the people who have wished me happy birthday, and I want them to be a part of making this the best birthday I’ve ever had," Lee said.
The National Juneteenth Museum livestreamed the celebration from Ms. Lee’s home. It included birthday messages from Fort Worth community leaders, politicians and celebrities.
On Saturday for her actual birthday, Trinity Habitat for Humanity will break ground on a new home for Ms. Lee.
It will be on the property where the iconic civil rights activist lived in 1932 when she was just 12 years old. Lee and her family only lived there for a few nights before white rioters burned the house down.
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.
"I grew up. I don’t know if I was poor or not. I always had food. My parents loved me," she said.
Now, Trinity Habitat for Humanity is giving it back to her.
"I just wish it could happen that people would be cautious, that they'd count to 10 before they get angry, and that quarrels could be settled without guns. There’s so much we can do for each other," Lee said.
Ms. Lee is one of the founding board members of Trinity Habitat for Humanity.
"It was Juneteenth when they were chased off their property, which is just crazy that it happened to be that day," said Gage Yager with the Trinity Habitat for Humanity. "I think when something terrible happens, we can react poorly or we can react positively."
When she discovered the nonprofit owned the lot where her family once lived, they sold it back to her for $10 and offered to be the general contractor to rebuild the home that was taken away from her family.
"She’d like for it to truly be a full circle story where she built a home, and she moves back. So we are working with another nonprofit called Citizens Concerned for Human Dignity. They are going to raise the money. We are going to do what we know how to do best and that’s build a super strong beautiful home. We are going to build it for our friend, Opal Lee," Yager said.
"The best birthday present in the world," Lee said.
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the property on East Annie Street.