06/19/2026
✊🏽 A Tribute to the Grandmother of Juneteenth
The woman I want to celebrate today is a true leader who shows that when women do the work, we don’t just change the narrative—we change the world.
Ms. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth, thank you for all your hard work, resilience, and sacrifice to keep the memory of our ancestors and the true meaning of June 19th alive.
Because of your unwavering dedication. I am resting, reflecting, and enjoying my union-paid national holiday—a tangible piece of the freedom and recognition you fought so hard for.
I am so incredibly blessed and honored to have met you, talked with you, and watched you literally change history for the better. Your historic walks paved the way for a national awakening, proving that a single, determined voice can move a nation.
Ms. Opal Lee, you are deeply appreciated, loved, and honored today and every day. Because of women like you, we know that a dream denied does not mean dead. Keep fighting, keep pushing—if you believe in it, you can achieve it!
UAW 276 Political and Legislation Committee Chair, Pauline Mims
