Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," is a tireless advocate for social justice and the recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday. Born in 1926, her lifelong dedication to civil rights has inspired millions. In 2016, at 89, Opal embarked on a symbolic 1,400-mile walk from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to bring attention to Juneteenth. Her relentless efforts were instrumental in Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday in 2021. Opal's passion and resilience continue to drive her mission of equality and education. Ms. Lee earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and, along with her hard-working granddaughter, Dione Sims, is creating a National Juneteenth Museum to promote positive conversations about unity and what it means to be an American. In this episode, we discuss topics rarely discussed in other interviews - to learn more about the powerful people behind their powerful message. I was SO delighted to speak with these influential women!
