February 21 …

John Lewis was a towering figure in American history whose lifelong dedication to justice, equality, and nonviolent protest made him one of the most respected leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.

Born on February 21, 1940 in rural Troy, AL to sharecropping parents, Lewis grew up amid the deep racial segregation of the Jim Crow South. Inspired by the sermons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the teachings of the Bible, Lewis committed himself early in life to the path of nonviolent resistance, seeking to challenge the entrenched racism that permeated every aspect of American society.

As a student, Lewis became deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, rising to national prominence in the early 1960s. He was a founding member and later chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), an organization that played a vital role in the fight for civil rights. Under his leadership, SNCC helped organize voter registration drives, sit-ins, and protests across the South. Lewis’s bravery and resolve were on full display during the Freedom Rides of 1961, when he and other activists challenged segregated interstate travel, often facing brutal beatings and arrests for their efforts.

While serving in his role as Chairman of SNCC, Lewis was one of the leaders of and speakers at the March On Washington on August 28, 1963.

One of the defining moments of Lewis’s life came on March 7, 1965 — on what became known as Bloody Sunday — during the Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights. He led over 600 peaceful protesters across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, only to be met with violent resistance from Alabama state troopers. Lewis suffered a fractured skull in the attack, but the images of the brutality shocked the nation and galvanized public support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which Congress passed later that year. Lewis’s courage that day became symbolic of the broader struggle for civil rights in America.

Following his work in the movement, Lewis transitioned into a long and distinguished career in politics.

In 1986, Lewis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia’s 5th congressional district, a seat he would hold for more than three decades. In Congress, he became known as the “conscience of the House,” consistently advocating for policies rooted in justice, fairness, and compassion. He championed issues like voting rights, education, affordable housing, and healthcare, never losing sight of the moral imperative behind public service.

Beyond legislation, Lewis remained an active voice in American culture and public life, continuing to inspire generations with his speeches, writings, and public appearances. His memoir, Walking with the Wind, offers a profound reflection on his life and the values that guided him. He often spoke about the importance of getting into “good trouble,” a phrase that became both a rallying cry and a moral framework for activism. Lewis believed that standing up to injustice, even when it came at a personal cost, was essential to building a more just and equitable society.

President Barack Obama awarded the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Congressman Lewis in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House February 15, 2011.

John Lewis’s legacy extends far beyond the halls of Congress or the streets where he marched. He played a vital role in shaping the moral and civic character of the United States, insisting that democracy must be an inclusive, participatory endeavor. His work helped expand the rights and freedoms of millions of Americans, particularly Black citizens who had long been excluded from the political process. He carried the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement into the 21st century, reminding the country that the struggle for justice is ongoing and must be met with courage and perseverance.

When Lewis passed away in 2020, tributes poured in from across the nation and around the world. He was mourned not just as a political figure, but as a moral giant whose life embodied the principles of love, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to human dignity.

The story of John Lewis remains an essential chapter in American history — a story of one man who, through quiet determination and fearless action, helped move a nation closer to its highest ideals.