NCBW Remembers the Honorable John R. Lewis
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
For Further Information Contact: Alfreda Stukes
nationalexecutiveadmin@nc100bw.org
Primary: 404-390-3982
National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.
Remembers Civil Rights Activist Rev. Dr. Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian
ATLANTA, GA, July 18, 2020 – The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) Remembers the Honorable John R. Lewis.
Today we honor a man known to many as an “Activist, Advocate and Civil Rights Icon.” Congressman John Lewis served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 5th Congressional District for more than three decades and was widely seen as a moral conscience of Congress because of his long embodiment of the nonviolent fight for civil rights. He will be remembered for his passionate oratory and long record of action that included, by his count, more than 40 arrests while demonstrating against racial and social injustice.
As a supporter and colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis participated in lunch counter sit-ins, joined the Freedom Riders in challenging segregated buses, and — at the age of 23 — was a keynote speaker at the historic 1963 March on Washington. At the end of that speech, John Lewis said, “If we do not get meaningful legislation out of this Congress, the time will come when we will not confine our marching to Washington.” “We will march through the South through the streets of Jackson, through the streets of Danville, through the streets of Cambridge, through the streets of Birmingham. But we will march with the spirit of love and with the spirit of dignity that we have shown here today,” he concluded.
In 2019, Congressman Lewis co-sponsored the Bipartisan Background Checks Act which requires background checks for firearm transfers between private parties. “The lack of effective and efficient gun control in our country impedes the safety and well-being not only for black women and girls but for everyone,” states NCBW National President Virginia W. Harris.
“Let us not forget, your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.” – Representative John R. Lewis. “And let us not forget Congressman John Lewis. Exercise your right to vote that Congressman Lewis fought so hard to achieve, said Harris.”
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate on behalf of black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment. We salute Congressman John Lewis for his unparalleled contributions to this country.
For more information visit the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. at www.ncbw.org.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE
###
We operate as a not-for-profit organization exclusively for charitable, educational, and social purposes and are
organized for tax exempt status under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954.
