A Committee of One: How Faith + Action = A PurposeFULL Life

by Opal Lee

A Committee of One: How Faith + Action = A PurposeFULL Life is an inspirational memoir/self-help book from the Grandmother of Juneteenth that will be a testament to the transformative power of resilience, faith, and love.

In 2016, then-90-year-old Opal Lee began her Opal Walks 2 DC campaign where she endeavored to walk 1,400 miles from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, DC to bring awareness to the cause of making Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. She was convinced that the country needed and wanted the unity that celebrating the abolition of slavery can bring. That it was bigger than Texas. Thankfully, on June 17, 2021, President Joseph Biden passed the bill making Juneteenth a National holiday and Ms. Opal stood alongside the president during this historic occasion, receiving the pen he used to sign off on the law.

A Committee of One takes readers on a profound journey through Ms. Opal Lee's life by sharing stories that will reveal a life marked by resilience, faith, and unwavering determination. Drawing parallels to the beloved narrative style of Tuesdays with Morrie, A Committee of One will weave together personal anecdotes with timely wisdom and offer every reader inspiring nuggets for reflection.

From the opening chapters, her narrative unfolds with the kind of raw honesty Ms. Opal is known for. She shares the challenges she's experienced (including the destruction of her childhood home by a white mob when she was twelve and the failure of her first marriage) as well as how those devastations allowed her the room to grow and become the woman she is today. All these stories are a testament to the indomitable human spirit, the fearlessness of our fortitude. The bottom-line goal in every chapter is to impart one significant and invaluable lesson: Adversity, though inevitable, need not define one's destiny.

The heart of the story is Ms. Opal's steadfast commitment to hard work and perseverance. From balancing the demands of motherhood and education to securing career advancements to the activism that led her to be named “The Grandmother of Juneteenth,” she's always tried to embody the transformative power of being steadfast. Because of this, A Committee of One is a powerful reminder that success is not measured by the absence of trials but by the willingness to confront and overcome them.

Genres: Nonfiction, African American

240 pages, Hardcover

Published June 2, 2026

Reviews

[Robin LaShanna]

5✨ This book is not what you what I was expecting. It’s not an in-depth political book focused on all the ups and downs of what it took to make Juneteenth into a holiday. It’s more like sitting on the porch with grandma, snapping green beans and listening to her share her stories and give you bits of wisdom.

Ms. Lee is not only the mother of Juneteenth but she is a woman of perseverance and faith and this book truly shows that. Warning, if talk of faith with a specific focus on Christianity is not for you, this may not be the book for you. While it is a little preachy, it is filled with nuggets of wisdom and simple, straight forward advice. Yes, she speaks about her walking journey and how long it took for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday but there is so much more! Ms. Lee will be 100 soon and we are so blessed to have her!

Version: 🎧

[Haerlee]

Opal Lee is a force of nature! Blending memoir, kitchen table wisdom, and history, this book is truly worth your time. It’s a great pick for multigenerational reading groups, especially young adults preparing for the next chapter in life, as well as scholars of Texan, women’s, African American, and American histories.

[McKenzie Richardson]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

An interesting combination of memoir, self-help, call to action, and handbook for creating change in the world.

Lee shares memories from her life and inspires readers to create change in their daily lives through kindness, understanding, and leading by example.

Lee explores her experiences with racism, her work to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, and wisdom she's gained throughout her journey.

I didn't read the subtitle of the book when I got it so I didn't realize quite how religious it would be. It got a little preachy at times, but I agree with Lee's overall message of showing kindness and creating a more understanding and fair world.

Nicely written using simple language.

An interesting book to learn more about Lee's life, her activism, and her techniques for creating change.

[Ashley : bostieslovebooks]

I loved learning about Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth, in this inspirational memoir. Prior to this, I only had general knowledge of her role in Juneteenth becoming a federally recognized holiday.

Actionable advice is intertwined with personal stories and life lessons to create something educational and meaningful. She’s honest about what she’s gone through and how that’s shaped her 100 years – the pain, joy, and everything in between. Christian faith is deeply important to her and that comes through in her words, sometimes leaning toward being preachy, though always with such warmth. The audiobook felt like listening to someone who truly cares and wants to share their knowledge, unlike gimmicky self-help books that are impersonal.

Opal Lee reminds us that we are each a committee of one, capable of being the change we want to see if only we start from within and persevere.

[Loganne truebookishromantic]

Thank you to Amistad/HarperCollins for the advanced reader copy. One of my goals for 2026 is to read one non-fiction book every two months. When I saw that this was available to read now I had to jump on it! This story was so insightful and I learned a lot. Not only about Opal’s experience on Junetennth, but her journey to get it recognized as a holiday. As a Christian it was amazing to see Opal share her Faith and how it kept her going. Opal shares her message for change throughout this book. She encourages others wanting to make a change to be patient, because change doesn't happen over night. Another take away: Love is easier than hate. I really loved this memoir!Overall I would recommend to anyone who wanted a memoir that included Christain Faith.

[Linda Yeatts]

I loved everything about this book by 100-year-old Opal Lee. Her journey through the cruelest racism, her advice, and her sheer will to continue to do good in the world made me want to stand up and shout. I learned a lot of history, too. So good.

[Nicole]

I picked this book as a way to learn more about Juneteenth. It is far more than that, however. It makes a strong care for moral leadership and being a leader fueled by a love of God and a love of your community. An excellent book on leadership that is surely not marketed as such.

[Karen P]

Opal Lee is a force in my community, and in our country. I hear her voice clearly in this book. Her encouragement to continue on, to be a voice, to not give up because what can one person do. She believes as individuals we can all do something to change the tide of the nation. I appreciate that reminder and that encouragement.

[Quin]

THANK YOU MISS OPAL, for reminding us that the work is NEVER done.

[Netreader99]

GREAT READ, she dropped a lot of wisdom and jems!!!