Julia Etta Lewis (1932-1998)[1] was an American registered nurse who was a leader of the civil rights movement in the 1960's in Lexington, Kentucky.[2][3] Lewis was a leader in the Kentucky Congress Of Racial Equality.[2] Lewis was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2001.[2]

Early life and education

Julia Etta Lewis was born in 1932.[2][3] Lewis was a registered nurse.[3]

Civil rights movement

Lewis was a leader of the civil rights movement in the 1960's in Lexington, Kentucky.[2] Lewis was the head Lexington chapter of the Kentucky Congress Of Racial Equality,[2] and Vice-president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People  (NAACP) in Lexington.[3]

Lewis organized sit-ins at Lexington restaurants, lunch counters in Woolworth’s and Kresge’s and The Phoenix Hotel coffee shop, and movie theaters.[4] She led demonstrations at Lexington City Hall.

Lewis is credited with maintaining a high level of cooperation with the NAACP, led by Audrey Grevious.[5]

Later life, recognition, and death

Lewis was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2001.[2] She died on December 4,1998 in Lexington, Kentucky.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Lewis, Julia Etta · Notable Kentucky African Americans Database". nkaa.uky.edu. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Kentucky Commision on Human Rights Hall of Fame 2001". kchr.ky.gov. Retrieved 2017-10-29.
  3. ^ a b c d Smith, Gerald L.; McDaniel, Karen Cotton; Hardin, John A. (2015-09-09). The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813160672.
  4. ^ "Robert Treadway: Julia Etta Lewis, activist, head of CORE was tireless crusader for justice - KyForward.com". KyForward.com. 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
  5. ^ "Merlene Davis: Event celebrates CORE activists and civil rights icons". kentucky. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
More