April 22nd 2024.
Opal Lee, a trailblazing leader in the fight for civil rights, has been bestowed with the title of "Grandmother of Juneteenth" for her tireless efforts in preserving and promoting the significance of this historic holiday. In recognition of her remarkable achievements, Southern Methodist University (SMU) will be honoring her with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during their upcoming commencement ceremony on May 11th.
According to SMU President R. Gerald Turner, having Ms. Lee as a part of their commencement ceremony is a true privilege and a symbol of honor for the university. He believes that her life's work is truly deserving of this recognition and hopes that her presence will inspire their students to carry on her legacy. In addition to receiving her honorary degree, Lee will also be participating in a free symposium on May 9th, where her remarkable accomplishments will be highlighted.
Accompanying Lee to the symposium will be her granddaughter, Dione Sims, who is the founding executive director of the National Juneteenth Museum. This museum, which is set to open in 2025, will be a monumental milestone in Lee's journey. It will be a $70 million, 50,000-square-foot complex located in Fort Worth's South Side, where Lee has been operating her own modest museum. The museum will not only serve as a cultural center, but also as a business incubator and a mixed-income residential community.
Both Lee and Sims have played integral roles in bringing this vision to life and have been recognized for their contributions. Lee, who has received seven honorary doctorates, was recently named the 2021 Texan of the Year by the Dallas Morning News editorial board and Fort Worth Inc.'s 2022 Person of the Year. She has also been nominated for a 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. In addition, she holds the honor of being only the second African American to have a portrait displayed in the Texas State Senate chamber.
It is truly remarkable to witness Lee's unwavering dedication and passion for preserving the memory of the formerly enslaved people of Texas. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, and her vision to establish Juneteenth as a federally recognized holiday was finally realized on June 17, 2021, when President Biden signed a bill into law. To honor her achievements and celebrate this momentous occasion, the presentation of Lee's honorary degree will be live streamed for all to see.
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