Dr. Opal Lee, Nobel Peace Prize Candidate
By Dr. J. Ester Davis
In the world of media, we have turned a deaf ear to ‘breaking news”. But last week, we had breaking news via social media that was a true ray of golden sunshine. Our darling Dr. Opel Lee, a Texas Masterpiece Matriarch, nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. That’s news worth shouting about. To add worth to significance it was in the midst of her 96th birthday as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” with a national holiday in her purse from, President Joe Biden. “Just to be nominated….” said Dr. Opal, was the simple joyous answer about the nomination news.
Thru history of the Nobel Peace Prize Winners, African Americans are few, but brilliantly placed and recognized on the world stage. In 1950, Ralph Bunche, received the honor for his work as mediator in Palestine. In 1964, Dr. King was jubilantly rewarded for his non violent civil rights strategies in America. Of course there was Nelson Mandela in 1993 who received the prize for peaceful leadership of the apartheid regime in Africa. Only one(1) American President (Barack Obama) have received the Nobel Peace Prize and eighteen (18) women worldwide.
Congratulations !!!! ….. Dr. Opal for your fortitude, mission and relentless examples. In the Letter of Nomination to the Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the Honorable Marc Veasey, Member of Congress wrote,”…her work to advance understanding and respect between individuals of different backgrounds and socioeconomic levels along with the continuing mission to equality is why we proudly nominate…”
I think the magnificent Opal Lee has a lot of messages to the American public, all in the category of greatness. There is her tireless decades of contribution to the enslaved people in Texas for proper recognition of her beloved “JUNETEENTH”. Her childhood survival of white supremacists, her efforts for a Texas Holiday and the ultimate need for a federal holiday. There was service as Precinct Chair for over 30 years, founding member of Citizens Concerned with Human Dignity and many, many more. But the most important prize of all in my humble opinion, is her Most Valuable Player (MVP) Showmanship of Age. The surety of age is “just a number”. That is her profound message to the world. Your health and dedication to movement is the rest of the story. I have been on stage with Dr. Opal Lee as Mistress of Ceremonies, in her presence at events in and around Texas, and she is this full ball of conversation, asking questions and telling stories, knowledge savvy, mobile-without-assistance, …..etc., etc. You absolutely forget that she is 96 years of age….and still a drum major for change.
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