Opal Lee ‘The Grandmother of Juneteenth’ Has Been Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize

January 1, 1970
Celebrity

Congratulations to Opal Lee, known as “The Grandmother of Juneteenth” who has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. 

According to reports, members of Congress in Texas sent a letter to the Nobel Prize Nomination Committee on behalf of Lee, who spent nearly 40 years trying to make Juneteenth a national holiday. 

Texas Congressman, Marc Veasey stated that Lee is a “civil rights icon” for everything that she has done throughout her life. 

He also said, “I have been proud to call Ms. Lee a friend and mentor for nearly my whole life and was honored to work alongside her to finally get Juneteenth made into a national holiday last year.” 

Veasey continued, “I cannot think of a better person who has constantly fought for justice, and that is why I am nominating her to receive this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.” 

Opal Lee, who walked from her home in Fort Worth to Washington D.C. to campaign for making Juneteenth a federal holiday, efforts did not go unnoticed. In June 2021, President Biden, officially made it a federal holiday. 

Lee spoke about the accomplishments in an interview, “I’ve never lost hope. I think this is time. I think our time has come.” 

 

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