FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News ) – A group of North Texas companies and nonprofits joined forces to rebuild the home of civil rights icon and Fort Worth native Doctor Opal Lee.
Her family’s home was burned down by a white mob in 1939.
Decades later, she bought the lot from Trinity Habitat for Humanity for $10.
At a wall raising ceremony on Thursday, Doctor Lee fought back tears and said she wishes her parents could see what the community has done for the family.
“I wish they could see how far we’ve come. That the neighborhood has changed. That the people are diverse and there will not be problems like we had before. I am so thrilled,” she said.
The house is being built by Texas Capital, Trinity Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes.
Nelson Mitchell is the CEO of HistoryMaker Homes and said the project’s deadline is of significance.
“The foundation has been poured in the last couple of weeks. We raised walls…framing is underway. Our plan is to deliver the keys and have a big celebration and move in on June 19” he said.
Texas Capital Foundation is paying for the furnishings for the home.
“Dr. Opal Lee has given so much to our community and our nation, and has been a tireless, lifelong advocate for racial equity and justice. We are proud to be able to give something back to her to honor her life’s work,” said Effie Dennison, Texas Capital’s head of Community Development and president of the Texas Capital Foundation.
Dr. Lee said getting her family’s home back in this fashion is proof of the good that comes when a community works together to overcome hate.
“At my age at 97, ‘Who would have thought I would have a brand new house?’ ‘Who would have thought I would have so many friends and family that would want to see the house built?’ and it’s going up in record time,” she said.
June 19, also known as “Juneteenth,” is the day that slaves in Galveston, Texas learned they were free.
Dr. Lee is known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” for dedicating her life to educating the public about the significance of the day which commemorates the end of slavery.
The 97-year-old worked to ensure Juneteenth’s national recognition which resulted in its designation as a federal holiday in 2021.
Dr. Lee’s home is also just a few blocks from what will be the site of the National Juneteenth Museum, a project she lead that will share the story behind the holiday as well as her tireless work.
Copyright 2023. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved.
