Opal Lee Gifted Family Land 80 Years After White (*80*) Took It

Opal Lee has been gifted her childhood residence practically 80 years after a racist mob chased her household out of it, per WFAA. The Texas activist is broadly recognized for her efforts towards making Juneteenth a nationwide vacation.

Trinity Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit devoted to constructing and repairing properties for households, gave Lee a bit of HERstory again!

The History Of Opal Lee’s Fort Worth Home

The lot is positioned in Fort Worth, Texas, the place Opal grew up. Lee, now 97, was solely 12 when her household moved right into a newly bought home on the lot. That was on June 15, 1939.

At the time, her Fort Worth neighborhood consisted of all white individuals. Opal Lee’s household was one of many first African American households to maneuver into the realm throughout a time when racial segregation was widespread.

The home was a logo of hope and progress for the household. However, this image was violently shattered on June 19.

On that day, which we now have a good time as Juneteenth, a white mob of 500 reportedly confirmed up on the household’s doorstep. According to WFAA, police “stood by and watched” as Lee’s household was compelled out of the house. The mob then trashed the home and set the household’s belongings on hearth, per experiences of the encounter.

This horrific expertise would later spark Lee’s lifelong dedication to battle for racial justice and equality.

Trinity Habitat For Humanity Acquired The Land And Built A New Home

Trinity Habitat for Humanity had bought the vacant 940 East Annie Street lot. Then, Opal Lee rang the non-profit’s CEO, Gage Yager.

Opal and Gage have reportedly recognized one another for many years. Lee even served on the group’s founding board.

During their name, Lee revealed that Trinity Habitat for Humanity now owned the lot her former childhood residence stood on. She requested Gage to buy the lot from the group. Instead, Gage insisted they’d present it to her.

Not solely that, Gage additionally supplied to construct Opal Lee a brand new residence on the vacant lot. Opal informed WFAA the beneficiant present made her really feel like doing “a holy dance.”

The non-profit Opal and a few of her closest buddies celebrated her birthday in early September by breaking floor on the lot.

Awarding her childhood house is a becoming tribute to Lee, a determine who has devoted her life to combating for racial justice.

“We’re there to partner with a friend to build a home and in a little way erase a big negative from all those years ago,” Yager continued. “How can it not be, with all the hate and violence that’s been out there … to play a small part in a bigger story and hopefully a narrative that’s going in a good direction.”