Opal Lee

Opal Lee was born October 7, 1926 in Marshall, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 from Wiley College (now Wiley University). She returned to school and obtained her Master’s degree in counseling and guidance from North Texas State University and served as home/school counselor for Fort Worth Independent School District until she retired in 1977.

Her greatest passion has been helping to ensure her city remembers Juneteenth by hosting a Community Celebration for over 40 years. In 2016 at 90 years of age, she launched a walking campaign to Washington, D.C. to bring awareness of the need for Juneteenth to be a National Day of Observance.