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Opal Lee leads Juneteenth Walk For Freedom in Fort Worth

cultureJun 19, 2026601,973

Opal Lee led her annual Juneteenth Walk For Freedom at Rogers Square in Fort Worth, which began at 10 a.m. after heavy rain delayed the event by one hour. Lee, often called the Grandmother of Juneteenth, organized symbolic 2.5-mile walks and helped push the 2021 law that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. Her walk arrives alongside renewed cultural attention, including the graphic novel First Freedom, and underscores Juneteenth’s role in remembering America’s delayed emancipation and the ongoing fight for racial justice. Born October 7, 1926, Lee will turn 100 this October, highlighting the decades of grassroots activism behind the holiday.

From June 19, 1865 to today — Juneteenth carries the story of freedom realized and still pursued. Ms. Opal Lee helped ensure that story is never forgotten. The
@nba.com150
Image colours: Orange, green, yellow with some black text and white background reads: “JUNETEENTH” “MUTUAL AID THREAD” “In celebration of Juneteenth, give to / tip / support Black Americans this weekend!” Illustration: Handprints in the following colours: orange, red and green
@msbeaeli.bsky.social120
🧵 There would be no Juneteenth without Opal Lee. Mrs. Lee (born October 7, 1926) is an American retired teacher, counselor, and activist in the movement to mak
@val.sheshed.rocks93
Juneteenth Freedom Day
@altspaceforce.altgov.info73
June 17, 2021. President Biden and VP Harris made Juneteenth a national holiday with special guest Opal Lee.
@kamalanation.bsky.social68
Opal Lee has held many titles in her nearly 100 years – mother, grandmother, teacher, activist. But she’s most heralded as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” the
@usatoday.com56
Black and white photo of 6 men in suits standing, with text overlay that says: It Was Not the “News” That Traveled Slowly — It Was “Power” By Christopher Wilson, Curator and Chair, Division of Home and Community Life, Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
@zinnedproject.bsky.social51
Five years ago, thanks to the advocacy of Opal Lee, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Today, we reflect on our nation’s journey toward freedom—and commit our
@gorubenruben.bsky.social42
Happy Juneteenth! May you all have the day off, may you have a fantastic cookout to attend, may you never forget the history of this day. And raise a glass to M
@dunhillpage.bsky.social36
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding
@dharmalee3.bsky.social33
A portrait of a gray-haired Black woman reading a book while sitting at a table with a red tablecloth. She wears glasses and a colorful floral print dress. She is looking up from the book, as if at the viewer. A small plate and a coffee cup on a plate rest on the table. From Kaysie Ellingson, “The art of connection: Sedrick Huckaby's creative legacy,” KERA, February 27, 2026: “Huckaby is known for his striking, large-scale portraits, where thick, layered brush strokes, capture the intensity in the faces he details, providing an intimate glimpse into their lives. Collectively, his portraits tell larger, nuanced stories of struggle, celebration and community. His work has gained global acclaim, with works in many major museums and institutions.”
@laurajg.bsky.social23
First Freedom cover
@noethematt.bsky.social22
As well HAPPY !!! If it weren't for this day I highly doubt my bi-racial ass would even be alive to draw! Take some time out of your day to support your fellow
@baconcat.bsky.social22
Photo of several Black women wearing multicolored skirts dancing
@arghavansallesmd.medsky.social22
Portrait of Dr. Opal Lee
@thismanyyearsago.bsky.social20
For generations, Black communities kept the spirit and history of Juneteenth alive. Dr. Opal Lee made it her mission to carry it onto the national stage. At 89
@charleskeener.bsky.social18
Opal Lee
@jillhasday.bsky.social14
Photo of Opal Lee taken in 2025. She is sitting in a chair onstage, smiling and holding a copy of her book Juneteenth, A Children's Story. Above and behind her there is a banner that reads, North Dallas Adventist Academy welcomes Ms. Opal Lee. There is a lovely arrangement of yellow flowers onstage nearby.
@motherchild.bsky.social11
We've come far, but not nearly far enough! And we will NOT allow "them" to take us backward from progress made. Honoring our black neighbors and friends today &
@buckeyemama.bsky.social9
Celebrating Juneteenth at Gotham FC.
@lonestarstriker.bsky.social9
Reading ’ memoir in Piedmont Park in Atlanta, on , during and ? I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams come true in every single way. Vibes! To quote Miss Ross, “I a
@discowallflower.bsky.social8
Every historian knows that memory is fragile. Stories disappear, lost, forgotten. For decades, Opal Lee worked to keep the story of Juneteenth alive because she
@pdtoler.bsky.social8
Juneteenth celebrates the delayed arrival of an end to the Civil War and emancipation from slavery. It marks how far we’ve come, but still must travel. We must
@wassermanschultz.house.gov8
20/ By the 21st century, Juneteenth was one of the few Freedom Days left standing for Black communities eager to commemorate emancipation. Long championed by th
@pdjeliclark.bsky.social8
TRUE STORY: At twelve, Opal Lee’s home was burned down on Juneteenth by an angry mob. Instead of being intimidated, Opal was determined to fight for national re
@karlingray.bsky.social8
"Rosie No. 1" created in 2016 by Brooklyn-based artist Tim Okamura
@peppapaxpippa.bsky.social7
“I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can't say; I never ran my train off the track and I never l
@joybells12.bsky.social7
Photo of Opal Lee, 2022
@loudmouthkid62.bsky.social7
Every Juneteenth I think of her. She was a descendant of slaves. She was also our neighbor and realized that the little white girl next door needed help. Not ju
@austinmermaid.bsky.social6
🧵“If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love.” — Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth 🙏🏽 🗣️ Today we honor the emancipation of the last
@fitnessfoundry.bsky.social6
3 sources
usatoday.com'Grandmother of Juneteenth' Opal Lee shares 99 years worth of wisdom and advocacycbsnews.comOpal Lee's Juneteenth Walk For Freedom set for Friday morning in Fort Worthsouthernliving.comThe Mission Of Opal Lee, Fort Worth's Grandmother Of Juneteenth

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