John Lewis: Civil Rights Leader, 17 Term Congressman

John Lewis was a leader of the civil rights movement in the 1960's. He led peaceful protests to end legalized racial segregation in the United States. In 1986 he was elected to Congress. He served 17 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives until his death in July 2020.

John Lewis saw the success of the civil rights movement when Barak Obama was elected as President of the United States in  2008. A lot changed over those years but he also recognized there is still much work to do to this day. When asked if the election had fulfilled Dr. King's dream, he said "No, it’s just a down payment. There’s still too many people 50 years later, there’s still too many people that are being left out and left behind." [thegrio.com]

There is still more progress to be made as a society but there is no doubt that without John Lewis, we wouldn't be where we are today.

You can learn more about John Lewis by looking for his information cards in your Duckwyn Travel Passport. You can find them in Selma, Alabama and Washington D.C.