Among this year’s honorees at the National Women’s History Museum’s (NWHM) Women Making History Awards on March 20 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. is Dr. Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” Lee was born in Marshall, Texas, and moved to Fort Worth with her family as a child. Not long after, on June 19, 1939, an angry mob destroyed their home.
A seed was planted in young Opal Lee that day. A growing determination took her through raising her children, earning her educational degrees back in Marshall at Wiley College, and eventually finding her place in the world of activism, with a special focus on the meaning of Juneteenth that commemorates freedom for enslaved people.
Her determination resulted in helping to get June 19 officially designated as a federal holiday in 2021. Dr. Lee is the oldest living board member of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) started by the late Dr. Ronald Myers to have Juneteenth declared a National Holiday. At 90 years of age, she started her walking campaign, and in 2019, she launched an online petition campaign that garnered over 1.6 million signatures to continue the crusade for holiday observance.
Dr. Lee currently serves on the board of Unity Unlimited, Inc. and is a board member and honorary chair of the National Juneteenth Museum. She has received eight honorary doctorates, was named 2021 Texan of the Year by the Dallas Morning News editorial board, the 2021 Unsung Hero of the Pandemic, Fort Worth Inc.’s 2022 Person of the Year, is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient. She is the second American of African descent to have her portrait hung in the Texas State Senate.
The other powerful women being honored with Dr. Lee are Sara Blakely, inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist; and Shirley Welsh Ryan, advocate for transformative research and education. In addition, Mattel will receive NWHM’s inaugural Evelyn Y. Davis Corporate Changemaker Award for the societal impact of its brands — like Barbie — on generations of girls, and its purpose to empower all to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Lisa McKnight, Mattel’s executive vice president and chief brand officer, will accept the award on the company’s behalf. Award-winning actress and icon Meryl Streep serves as the honorary chair of the evening, and the program will be hosted by CBS News award-winning journalist Norah O’Donnell.
“We are incredibly proud to be celebrating this incomparable group of honorees at our gala. They have each made indelible contributions to society that will endure for generations to come,” said Susan D. Whiting, chair of the NWHM Board of Directors. “We are looking forward to commemorating the remarkable achievements of Sara, Opal, Shirley, and Mattel at what promises to be an inspiring and unforgettable night.”
Since its debut in 2012, the Women Making History Awards has honored distinguished figures across various fields, including literary giant Dr. Maya Angelou, acclaimed actresses Viola Davis and Rita Moreno, NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta.
Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum is an innovative virtual-first museum dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society. A renowned leader in women’s history education, the museum brings to life the countless untold stories of women throughout history, and serves as a space for all to inspire, experience, collaborate, and amplify women’s impact — past, present, and future. They strive to fundamentally change the way women and girls see their potential and power.
Additional information and tickets for the gala are available on www.WomensHistory.org.
Read more about Opal Lee in the County Line archives including the articles Opal Lee Walks Juneteenth to Victory and Ceremony Brings Juneteenth Grandmother Home.
