The Fort Worth woman known as the grandmother of Juneteenth will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Opal Lee was selected to receive the nation’s highest civilian award, along with 18 other politicians, activists, athletes, and inspiring individuals.President Joe Biden is recognizing Lee for her civil rights efforts.The 97-year-old walked to Washington D.C. in 2016 to raise awareness about June 19, 1865, which was the day slaves in the United States learned they had been freed.She was at Biden’s side in 2021 when he signed the bill declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday.
She has a portrait hanging in the Texas State Capitol and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.The other 2024 President Medal of Freedom recipients include:"These nineteen Americans built teams, coalitions, movements, organizations, and businesses that shaped America for the better," the White House said news release. "They are the pinnacle of leadership in their fields. They consistently demonstrated over their careers the power of community, hard work, and science.
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