DALLAS — Honoring a legend for her legacy, the National Society of Black Sports Professionals North Texas (BSPNTX) honored Opal Lee, with its inaugural Legacy Award at the chapter’s Women’s History Month event on Wednesday.

BSPNTX recognized Lee for her civic leadership in the North Texas community and years of activism to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. Known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize finalist worked tirelessly for years to get Juneteenth national observance recognition. Her dream came true on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden established June 19 as the 11th federal holiday.

Lee’s recognition was part of BSPNTX’s Women’s History Month event—Play Like A Girl: Phenomenal Women in Sports.

BSPNTX is the fastest-growing, sports-centric networking organization in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The organization aims to promote, empower and connect Black sports professionals representing all aspects of the sports industry and sports-related fields in the metroplex. The chapter has awarded $24,500 to 16 college students striving to be among the next generation of sports professionals in the first two years of its scholarships program.