John Lewis to speak at Brenau, rescheduled for February 18

U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a significant figure of the American civil rights movement, will appear for a public presentation at Brenau University’s Gainesville campus next week.
 
Lewis originally was scheduled to appear in January, but the university postponed the event because of inclement weather. Lewis will now speak at a public event on Thursday, February 18 at 3 p.m. in Pearce Auditorium.
 
Afterwards, Lewis will sign copies of the graphic novels MARCH in Sellars Gallery, adjacent to the auditorium. Copies of the books, which were the common reader for last fall’s Women’s College first-year seminar, will be available for purchase at the event.
 
“It is a great honor for our institution to host Congressman Lewis on this occasion,” said Brenau University President Ed Schrader. “He is a true American hero who has shed blood and dedicated his life to public service and to win basic human rights for all.”
 
Lewis was the chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from 1963 to 1966. He served as one of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s chief lieutenants for field work and protests throughout the Southeast, playing a pivotal role in the voter rights movement that culminated in the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama in 1965. He is the last surviving member of the “Big Six” civil rights leaders who helped put together King’s historic March on Washington in 1963.
 
Lewis has represented Georgia’s 5th Congressional District since 1987. Lewis agreed to come to Brenau after senior history and political science major, Quanesha Davis of Decatur, drafted a letter to her congressman requesting he come to campus to speak about his experiences. The letter was signed by every first-year seminar student.
 
Andrew Aydin, Lewis’ technology policy aide and MARCH coauthor, will also be present at the event. He said he is thrilled the graphic novels have inspired Brenau’s students to such a great degree. “For our work to be welcome in classrooms and for Lewis’ story to resonate with students,” he said, “it is the culmination of everything we have worked to achieve with MARCH.”
 
Davis said she hopes Lewis’ courage and tenacity in the face of inequality and oppression inspires Brenau’s Women’s College freshmen as they face their own individual challenges today.  
 
“We have learned from Lewis’ experiences and teaching that, although you may only be one person, you have the potential to make changes and accomplish anything you feel moved to pursue,” Davis said.
 
The event is free and public seating begins at 2:30 p.m. 
 
The presentation will also be streamed live online.