Representative John Lewis, known as the Conscience of Congress, helped break down segregation in the United States–including segregation in libraries. Refused a library card by the whites-only public library in his hometown of Troy, Alabama, Lewis later won the National Book Award for graphic novels about civil rights marches (the video of his award ceremony from CSPAN’s Book TV below is deeply moving). Read more about his civil rights work, including his quest for a library card, through the links below:
An Introduction to John Lewis (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee Digital Gateway)
Obituary: John Lewis, Towering Figure of Civil Rights Era, Dies at 80 (New York Times)
A New Library Card for Rep. John Lewis: Picture of the Week (School Library Journal)
ALA 2013: The Day Congressman John Lewis Got his Library Card (Publishers Weekly)
John Lewis Graphic Novels & Memoirs (Amazon)
Celebrating John Lewis: Books & Resources for All Ages (New York Public Library)