John Lewis was a highly influential figure in American history, known for his steadfast commitment to civil rights and justice. Born on February 21, 1940, in Pike County, Alabama, Lewis grew up in a family of sharecroppers. Despite the challenges of his early life, he went on to become a significant force in the fight for racial equality in the United States. His legacy includes not only his role as a civil rights leader but also his long tenure as a U.S. Congressman representing Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his passing in 2020.
Throughout his life, John Lewis embodied resilience and courage, participating in pivotal events such as the Nashville sit-ins and the Freedom Rides, and serving as the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). His dedication to nonviolent protest led to key actions, including the infamous 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, where he sustained injuries in an incident known as Bloody Sunday. His contributions have left a lasting mark on the nation, serving as a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
As we explore the life and legacy of John Lewis, we’ll delve into his personal and professional life, examining his relationships, net worth, and the impact he had on American society. His story serves as an inspiration to future generations, reminding us all of the power of determination and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Who is John Lewis?
John Lewis was a brave and important person who fought for equal rights for everyone. He was born on February 21, 1940, in Alabama, and grew up in a big family. John worked hard to make sure that Black people could have the same rights as white people. He joined peaceful protests, like sitting in restaurants where Black people weren’t allowed.
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He also joined long bus rides called the Freedom Rides to help end unfair rules. Later, he became a leader in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. John even got hurt while marching for voting rights in a big event called Bloody Sunday. He spent many years helping people as a Congressman for Georgia. John Lewis is remembered as a hero who never gave up fighting for fairness.
Quick Info
| House Democratic Senior Chief Deputy Whip | |
|---|---|
| In office January 3, 2003 – July 17, 2020 | |
| Leader | Dick Gephardt Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | G. K. Butterfield |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia’s 5th district | |
| In office January 3, 1987 – July 17, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Wyche Fowler |
| Succeeded by | Kwanza Hall |
| Member of the Atlanta City Council from at-large post 18 | |
| In office January 1, 1982 – September 3, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Jack Summer |
| Succeeded by | Morris Finley |
| 3rd Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee | |
| In office June 1963 – May 1966 | |
| Preceded by | Charles McDew |
| Succeeded by | Stokely Carmichael |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Robert Lewis February 21, 1940 Pike County, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | July 17, 2020 (aged 80) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Resting place | South-View Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lillian Miles(m. 1968; died 2012) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | American Baptist College (BA)Fisk University (BA) |
| Occupation | Civil rights activistPolitician |
Early Life, Parents and Education of John Lewis
John Lewis was born on February 21, 1940, near Troy, Alabama. He was the third of ten children in his family. His parents, Willie Mae and Eddie Lewis, were sharecroppers. This means they farmed land that belonged to someone else and gave a part of their crops as payment. Even though his family didn’t have much money, they worked hard to make sure their children could go to school.
John loved to read and learn new things. He wanted to get a good education, so he studied hard. John went to American Baptist College and later to Fisk University. At these schools, he learned a lot about how to help people and fight for equal rights. This education helped him become a great leader.
John Lewis Career
John Lewis had an important job fighting for equal rights. He started by helping with the Nashville sit-ins, where he and others sat in places where Black people were not allowed. He also went on the Freedom Rides to end unfair rules on buses. Later, he became the leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. John Lewis is well-known for leading the Selma to Montgomery marches to help Black people get the right to vote.
After many years of activism, John Lewis became a Congressman. He represented Georgia’s 5th congressional district for more than 30 years. As a Congressman, he continued to fight for fairness and justice. John Lewis’s career shows his strong dedication to making the world a better place for everyone.
Height, Weight, Age, and Figure
John Lewis was 5 feet 9 inches tall, which is a little taller than most people. He weighed around 143 pounds. He was born on February 21, 1940, so he was 80 years old when he passed away in 2020.
Even though he was not very tall or heavy, he had a strong and determined spirit. This helped him do many brave things in his life, like leading marches and fighting for equal rights. John Lewis showed us that you don’t need to be very big to make a big difference in the world.
John Lewis Girlfriend/ Wife
John Lewis met his future wife, Lillian Miles, at a New Year’s Eve party. The party was hosted by a lady named Xernona Clayton. At that time, Lillian worked at the library of Atlanta University. John and Lillian got married one year later, in 1968. They loved each other very much and had a happy life together.
In 1966, they had a son who also works in politics. Lillian was a very supportive wife and stood by John’s side through all the important events in his life. Sadly, Lillian passed away on December 31, 2012, which was exactly 45 years after they first met. John and Lillian’s love story is remembered by many people.
Before fame and Famous Reason
John Lewis grew up in Alabama in a big family. His parents were sharecroppers, meaning they worked hard on someone else’s land. Even as a child, John knew he wanted to make the world a better place. He loved reading and learning, especially about famous leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. John practiced giving speeches to the chickens on his family’s farm.
When he got older, John went to college and started joining peaceful protests to fight unfair rules. He sat in restaurants where Black people weren’t allowed and joined bus rides called the Freedom Rides to help end unfair rules on buses. John’s bravery and dedication made him a well-known figure in the fight for equal rights. His work and courage inspired many people to join the movement for justice.
Ethnicity and Nationality
John Lewis was an American. He was born in Alabama, which is a state in the United States. His family had been in Alabama for many years, even when his great-grandfather was born there. This means John Lewis was from a long line of people who lived in America.
His skin color was white, but he worked very hard to make sure that people of all skin colors were treated equally. John Lewis loved his country and wanted to make it a better place for everyone. He was proud to be an American and did everything he could to help others in his country have better lives.
Religion and Net Worth
John Lewis was a Christian. He believed in God and went to church. His faith was very important to him and helped him stay strong while fighting for equal rights. John prayed and read the Bible, which gave him courage and hope. John Lewis had a net worth of about $10 million. This means he had a lot of money.
He earned this money through his hard work as a civil rights leader and Congressman. Even though he had a lot of money, he always focused on helping others. He used his position to make the world a better place for everyone. John Lewis’s life shows that you can be successful and still care deeply about making a positive difference in the world.
Legacy and Future Plains of John Lewis
John Lewis’s work has left a big impact on the world. He showed everyone how important it is to fight for what is right. Many people look up to him as a hero because he stood up for fairness and justice, even when it was very hard. His efforts helped change laws so that everyone could be treated equally.
Kids learn about him in school and get inspired by his bravery. In the future, people will keep talking about John Lewis and how he made the world a better place. New leaders will follow in his footsteps to continue the work he started. His story will remind everyone that one person can make a big difference, no matter how difficult the path might be.
Interesting Facts About
- John Lewis loved to read books when he was a child.
- He practiced giving speeches to the chickens on his family’s farm.
- John was arrested more than 40 times for his protests.
- He met Martin Luther King Jr. when he was only 18 years old.
- John received many awards for his work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- He was a fan of comic books and even helped create one about the civil rights movement.
- John Lewis liked to write and published several books about his life and work.
- He walked over the Edmund Pettus Bridge every year to remember the Selma marches.
- John Lewis appeared in movies and TV shows to share his story with more people.
Conclusion
John Lewis showed us that even one person can change the world. He worked very hard to make sure everyone was treated fairly. He faced many hard times but never gave up. People remember him as a hero because he was brave and kind. He loved to help others and wanted to make the world a better place. Kids learn about him in school and are inspired by his story.
John Lewis’s life teaches us to always stand up for what is right, no matter how difficult it might be. His work and courage will always be remembered, and new leaders will continue to follow his example. His legacy will help people understand the importance of fairness and justice for everyone.
FAQs
Q: Who was John Lewis?
A: John Lewis was a civil rights leader and U.S. Congressman who fought for equal rights for everyone.
Q: When was John Lewis born?
A: John was born on February 21, 1940.
Q: What did John Lewis do for a job?
A: John Lewis worked as a civil rights activist and later as a Congressman.
Q: Did John Lewis have any children?
A: Yes, John had one son who also works in politics.
Q: What is John Lewis known for?
A: John is known for leading the Selma to Montgomery marches and his work in the civil rights movement.
Q: How tall was John Lewis?
A: John was 5 feet 9 inches tall.
Q: When did John Lewis die?
A: John died on July 17, 2020.
Q: Was John Lewis married?
A: Yes, John was married to Lillian Miles.
