Bertha Lewis (activist) facts for kids
Bertha Lewis (born in 1951) is a very important leader and activist. She started and leads an organization called The Black Institute. This group works to share ideas and help shape public rules and laws from the perspective of Black people and all people of color in the United States and around the world.
Before starting The Black Institute, Bertha Lewis was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and main organizer for a large group called ACORN. ACORN was a non-profit organization that worked for social justice until it closed in 2010. In early 2014, she was part of the team that helped New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio get started in his role.
Bertha Lewis went to Hanover College in Indiana from 1967 to 1968. She became the leader of ACORN in May 2008. In this role, she managed the operations of a huge group with 400,000 members. ACORN was active in more than 110 cities across the country. Bertha Lewis had worked with ACORN for 16 years before becoming its CEO. She was also a co-founder and leader of the New York Working Families Party.
She has also shared her views on different topics, like when she spoke out against a ban on plastic bags in New York City. She worked with a group that also disagreed with the ban.
Awards and Recognition
Bertha Lewis has received many awards for her important work:
- In 2004, she received the Citizen Activist Award from the Gleitsman Foundation for her efforts to improve public education.
- In 2005, she was given the Leon Bogues award for her community and political activism by the New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc.
- In 2006, New York magazine named her one of the "Influentials" in politics.
- In 2007, Crains magazine recognized her as one of the 100 Most Influential Women of New York.
External Links
- "CEO Says ACORN 'Isn't Dead Yet'", NPR, Deborah Tedford, March 23, 2010
- "ACORN CEO Reflects On The Group's Hard Times", NPR, March 23, 2010
- "Bertha Lewis", Huffington Post
