John Lewis

John Lewis, born on February 21, 1940, in Troy, Alabama, was a central figure in the American civil rights movement and a lifelong advocate for social justice and racial equality. Growing up in the segregated South, Lewis experienced the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws and systemic racism, which fueled his commitment to fight for civil rights. He attended Fisk University, where he became deeply involved in the Nashville Student Movement and the sit-in protests aimed at desegregating lunch counters. As one of the original Freedom Riders in 1961, Lewis faced brutal violence and arrest as he challenged segregation in interstate bus travel. His dedication to nonviolent protest and his courage in the face of adversity quickly established him as a prominent leader in the movement. John Lewis's impact on black liberation is perhaps best exemplified by his role as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1963 to 1966. Under his leadership, SNCC played a crucial ro