Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Nov. 10, 2016, edition 1 / Page 17
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90-year-old woman walking 140,000 miles for national Juneteenth Opal Lee hoping to make it a national holiday BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE Ninety-year-old Opal Lee is on a mission to get President Barack Obama's attention before he leaves office by walking 140,000 miles. Lee is walking from her hometown of Forth Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to hand deliver a petition to Obama demanding Juneteenth be made a national holiday. "I'm going to walk right up there and ask the president and members of Congress what's wrong with them," she continued. "I see Juneteenth as a uni fier. All kinds of people came together to free slaves and we need to know this. There is no rea son why it should not be a national holiday," Lee said. Celebrated annually on June 19 in 45 states, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration com memorating the end of slavery in the United States. In order to reach the White House Lee, is walk ing 10 miles each day. Since beginning her journey on Sept. 1, she has already visited 10 different states and 23 cities. Along the way, she is sharing the history of Juneteenth with anyone willing to listen. Last week, Lee made a quick stop in Old Salem to inspire locals to sign the petition that needs 100,000 signatures. While sitting in St. Phillips Moravian Church where the end of slavery was announced to local slaves in 1865, Lee said she dreams one day this country will have a Juneteenth theme park that will educate the young and old. "Our nation is theme park happy," she laughed. "So why not have a Juneteenth theme park to educate this generation and generations to come?" "I want everyone to know what people went through to have this Juneteenth celebration." City human relations director Wanda Allen Abraha, who helps coordi nate the local Juneteenth Celebration said, she was inspired by Lee's commit ment to the cause. "We're all amazed by her drive, and passion to make this cross-country journey," she said. "It was a real honor to be in the presence of someone so passionate about preserv ing the history of black people in this country." Lee is expected to reach the nations' capital next month. To sign the petition to make Juneteenth a national holi day, visit www.opal swalk2dc.com. HWJ.l i '? ' - ' n " 111 IN MEMORIAM PEPPERS Mildred Strickland Peppers, a God fearing and deeply devoted wife, mother, sister and friend, met her bridegroom on November 7, 2016. Mildred was born on June 6, 1948 to the late Samuel and Frances Strickland. Educated in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Public School System and grad uated from Albert H. Anderson High School in 1968. Mildred attended Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) where she received her B.S. in History. While at WSSU, she pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority where she became affectionately known as "Skinner". On the yard, she also met her "diamond", the late Ronnie Carl "Pepp" Peppers. The Skinner and Pepp union produced three beautiful girls, prances Valencia, Blanche Yvonne and Joneice Conchetta. Out of this love grew the mar riages of Blanche to Captain Darren A. Sawyer, United States Navy, Retired and Joneice to Will L. Pledger. After 1994, Skinner and Pepp became proud grandparents with the birth of four grand- - children Xavier and Alexander Sawyer and Jaden and Carrington Pledger. Mildred an educator at heart dedicated nearly 29 years as a teacher at Newton-Conover Junior High School (Hickory, NC) and at Hanes, North Forsyth and Glenn High Schools (W-S, NC). Mildred retired in 2001. Her calling was teaching and she was very active at her home church, Emmanuel Baptist where she served as a Deacon, Missionary, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. Spreading the gospel beyond the walls of Emmanuel, she wrote the Sunday School lesson for The Chronicle for over 17 years. Her heavenly reward leaves cherished memo ries for her girls, grand children, sisters, Maria Strickland and Suzette S. (Joel) Willis, sister-in laws, Rugina Peppers and Linda Peppers, brother in-law, James (Belinda) Peppers, along five nieces, one nephew and a host of other loved ones and friends. Have a Story Idea? . Let us Know newsiwschroniclem ? Photo by levin Sunsoe I Texas native Opal Lee is making a cross I BnTHimi?J country journey to [K Ejlj*iJ E1J IJ | I HJ I Washington, D.C., to hand deliver a petition to President Barack Obama demanding Juneteenth be made a national holiday. NCDOT TO HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING THE PROPOSED WIDENING OF N.C. 66 (OLD HOLLOW RD.) FROM HARLEY DR. TO REIDSVILLE RD. (U.S. 158) IN WALKERTOWN, FORSYTH COUNTY TIP Project No. U-5824 The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting regarding the proposed widening of N.C. 66 (Old Hollow Rd.) from Harley Dr. to Reidsville Rd. (U.S. 158) to multi-lanes in Walkertown, Forsyth County. The purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow and safety along the project corridor. The meeting will take place on Monday, November 14, 2016 at Morris Chapel Church, 2715 Darrow Rd., Walkertown from 5 to 7 p.m. Interested citizens may attend at any time during the above hours. Maps will be available to review and NCDOT representatives will be present to answer questions and receive comments regarding the project. There will not be a formal presentation. Written comments can be submitted either at the meeting or later by November 30, 2016. Project information can be found at http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/ publicmeetings For additional information, contact Brett Abernathy, NCDOT Division 9 Project Manager, 375 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 by email at jbabernathy@ncdot.gov, by phone at (336) 747-7800, or by fax at (336) 703-6693. NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Anamika Laad at (919) 707-6072 as early as possible so that arrangements can be made. Persons who speak Spanish and do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494. Aquellas personas que hablan espanol y no habian ingl6s, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender ingl6s, podrian recibir servicios de interpretacibn si los solicitan antes de la reuni6n llamando al 1-800-481 6494 The Chronicle November 3 and 10,2016 ?? ? "??1? 1 ???? 1 WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. ? f ________ Educating the next. Generation All funds raised/proceeds from this event will go toward GACAC Campaign NWCDC Is a 501 (c)3-non-profit organization .
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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