Fort Worth’s Opal Lee, ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ celebrates Nobel Peace Prize nomination

Fort Worth civil rights activist Opal Lee was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday morning, but spirits were high as she gathered with friends and family for a watch party.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to award the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize to human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, the Russian human rights organization Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties, the committee announced at 4 a.m. Friday Central time.

Lee, the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” was nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize by 33 members of Congress for her years-long efforts in gaining national recognition of June 19, 1865. Known as Juneteenth, the day recognizes when enslaved Black Americans in Texas gained their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

“I’m still surprised and humbled,” Lee said Friday morning of her nomination. “I’m so thankful, I don’t know what to do. If I don’t get it, I’m not going to be unhappy about it. I’m going to thank the Lord.”

In 1939, when Lee was 12, a white mob set fire to her family’s belongings on the Juneteenth holiday. In 2016 she walked 1,400 miles from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., at 89 years old, on behalf of the cause. And in 2021 she stood beside President Joe Biden at in the White House as Juneteenth was officially named a national holiday.

On Friday, the morning of her 96th birthday, Lee gathered with family, friends and community members at Paris Coffee Shop in Fort Worth to hear the Norwegian Nobel Committee announce the 2022 winner.

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five prizes established by Swedish scientist and businessman Alfred Nobel and has been awarded nearly every year since 1901. There were 343 candidates for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize — 251 individuals and 92 organizations.

According to Nobel’s last will and testament, the Peace Prize should be awarded “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize laureates “represent civil society in their home countries,” the Nobel organization tweeted Friday. “They have for many years promoted the right to criticise power and protect the fundamental rights of citizens.

“They have made an outstanding effort to document war crimes, human right abuses and the abuse of power,” the organization said. “Together they demonstrate the significance of civil society for peace and democracy.”

Congressman Marc Veasey of Texas’ 33rd District, which represents much of east Fort Worth, led the effort to nominate Lee, the Star-Telegram previously reported. Congress members cited Lee’s continued dedication to equality in their nomination letter.

“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 said. “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.”

On Friday, Veasey said in a tweet that Lee’s legacy of service precedes her in North Texas and throughout the nation.

“Miss Opal Lee’s fight for justice and equity has made her a trailblazer in the civil rights movement across our country,” he said in a social media post. “It was through her relentless efforts that Juneteenth’s recognition as a national holiday was made possible.”

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker also took to social media to celebrate Lee on her birthday, calling her an “inspiring and transformational leader” in the community.

Lee’s nomination for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize does not mark the end of her advocacy work. One of her goals for the rest of the year is raise money for the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, a $70 million project.

Lee will also continue her charitable contributions through the Community Food Bank and Opal’s Farm, both initiatives she helped start to assist community members in need.

On Saturday, the Community Food Bank, at 3000 Galvez Ave. in Fort Worth, will have volunteer opportunities from 8 a.m. to noon for a day of service. At 11 a.m., Lee will walk from the food bank to Opal’s Farm, where volunteers also will be working at 2500 Lasalle St., to raise awareness about hunger, nutrition and health issues. The walk will be followed by her birthday celebration.

Following Friday morning’s announcement, Lee thanked the Norwegian Nobel Committee for their consideration.

“Just being nominated is one of the greatest honors and says we have a chance to sit at the table,” she said to cheers and applause from her Fort Worth supporters.

This is a developing story. For the latest updates, sign up for breaking news alerts.