"I'm elated to get a chance to see the Harriet statue before it gets out of my state," Lee told Community Impact. "You know, they call me the Grandmother of Juneteenth, which means freedom, and Harriet is the original champion of freedom. I'm so glad to get to see her."
Made of bronze, the "Harriet Tubman: Journey to Freedom" sculpture is 9 feet tall and weighs 2,400 pounds. (Amanda Cutshall/Community Impact)
Some context
Lee, who will celebrate her 98th birthday in early October, has dedicated her life to civil rights.
Her granddaughter, Dione Sims, said Lee is the oldest living board member of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, which was started with the goal of pushing for Juneteenth to be declared a federal holiday.
To help with that goal, Lee began a walking campaign at age 90 to garner signatures—ultimately collecting more than 1.5 million.
"Ms. Opal, you’re incredible," Biden said during the signing. "A daughter of Texas. Grandmother of the movement to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. ... We’re blessed to mark the day in the presence of Ms. Opal Lee. As my mother would say, 'God love her.'"
What else?
Lee has received numerous honors and awards, including:
"She is also the second African American to have her portrait hung in the Texas State Senate," Sims said. "We are so excited to participate in this farewell event, and see it in person."
