John Lewis (1940-2020)

John Lewis was born February 21, 1940, an era of racial segregation. Lewis left his home in Alabama in 1957 to attend the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee, where he learned about nonviolent protests and participated in sit-ins. In 1963, Lewis became the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and one of the “Big Six” leaders of the civil rights movement, even planning the March on Washington. In 1981, he ran for office, winning a seat on the Atlanta City Council. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1986, representing Georgia’s 5th district. Lewis was one of the most respected Congress members, as he fought for healthcare reform, improvements in education, took measures to fight poverty, and most importantly, oversaw multiple renewals of the Voting Rights Act. Lewis Died on July 17, 2020, but we will never forget his sacrifices and fights for equal rights.