The family of 98-year-old Opal Lee, widely known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” is sharing reassuring news after a recent health scare. “She is doing well. She is in great spirits,” said Dione Sims, Lee’s granddaughter. Lee was traveling to Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 23, 2025, to be honored with the International Freedom Conductors Award. However, during the trip, she experienced a minor health issue. “She had a slight medical emergency, and so I had to pick up as Opal number two and continue and receive [the award] for her, but she’s doing good,” Sims said. Lee is awaiting the doctor's orders to be released from a Cincinnati hospital. She will return to Fort Worth this week in time for the start of the annual Juneteenth celebration, which she has never missed before. The timing of the incident coincided with the beginning of Juneteenth celebrations. Lee has played a crucial role in the recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday, including collecting 1.6 million signatures in support of the movement. Each year, she issues a challenge for others to join her in the Freedom Walk and share their participation online. “We want folks to go on their social media and post that. Let us see that, let her see that. We're really trying to get 1.6 million folks walking for Juneteenth, that we got signing the petition,” Sims explained. Lee is also focused on the development of the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth. Her granddaughter explained how the multi-use facility will impact the entire world. “The ability for us to impact, you know, not just Fort Worth, but the nation, with the story of Emancipation, wherever it happened. I think that’s the beauty of the National Juneteenth Museum,” said Sims, who serves on the museum’s board. FULL STORY: https://www.wfaa.com/article/entertainment/events/juneteenth/opal-lees-granddaughter-shares-update-after-health-scare-juneteenth/287-9bf5110f-1fac-4334-90ab-99a344878254