OPAL’S WALK FOR FREEDOM

At 90 years old, Ms. Opal began her walking campaign to bring attention to the need for Juneteenth to be a National Day of Observance. With 47 states that officially recognized it as a holiday, she believed now it was time for national legislation. 
 
Starting here in Fort Worth, she walked mile for mile through Arlington, Grand Prairie and Dallas until a change was made to go where she was invited to walk her prescribed 2.5 miles representing the years it took for enforcement of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to reach Texas and free the slaves there.
 
In 2016, she walked in 14 states including Washington. DC. She relaunched her campaign in 2019 and covered 7 states before COVID-19 stopped her.
 
On June 17, 2021 President Joe Biden signed into law a bill to make Juneteenth, or June 19, the 12th federal holiday saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president. 

Unity Unlimited, Inc. is in continuous pursuit of establishing the celebration of Juneteenth with Opal’s Walk for Freedom. This annual event promotes unity, history, and healing through national participation on Juneteenth. 

This symbolic event will honor the nation’s journey, reflecting on the progress made and the challenges ahead by “Celebrating freedom from the 19th of June to the 4th of July.”

The 50-State simultaneous walk by 2030 campaign will offer a unity-focused experience, highlighting civic pride, historical awareness, and cross-cultural celebration from coast to coast, demonstrating that freedom is a shared value worth celebrating.

Ms. Opal and Dione ares inviting everyone all across the country to walk 2.5 miles with them this Juneteenth in person or VIRTUALLY