Opal Lee

Background

About Opal Lee

At 92 years of age, Mrs. Opal Lee still finds time for her single greatest passion to be a part of the above organizations while still actively leading two very large projects – the Annual Fort Worth Juneteenth Celebration and the urban farming project. Her vision for Juneteenth has grown from a single day community picnic at Sycamore Park to a multiday celebration in downtown Fort Worth that includes a parade, breakfast of prayer, honors banquet, Miss Juneteenth Pageant, Health & Job Fair, 5K Run, Art Exhibit, Golf Tournament, Gospel Festival, food vendors, children’s play area and much, much more. She is part of the national movement with Dr. Ronald Myers to have Juneteenth declared a National Holiday much like Flag Day or Presidents Day. There are 45 states that recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. Since she knows she won’t be around forever, she is grooming enthusiastic young people to pass the torch to when the time comes. February 15, 2019 marked another milestone in Mrs. Opal’s life – the ribbon cutting to begin the work on Opal’s Farm the urban farming project that has been a dream of hers for many years. Tarrant Regional Water District has agreed to lease 5 acres of land along the bank of the Trinity River to Unity Unlimited, Inc. where Mrs. Lee serves as Vice President for the organization to grow fresh quality produce. With plans for a profitable small market organic farm that contributes 10% of all produce to local food pantries, Opal’s Farm will partner with local organizations to provide job training and a living wage especially for those who were previously incarcerated and finding it hard to gain employment. Mrs. Lee has received many awards and commendations in her life time, but values her ability to affect positive change in the lives of those around her more than any accolades that can be given to her.