Bertha Lewis (activist) facts for kids

Bertha Lewis is an important leader who works for social justice. She started an organization called The Black Institute. This group helps shape ideas and public rules from a Black perspective. This includes all people of color in the United States and around the world. Before this, she was a top leader at ACORN. This was a large group that worked for social fairness. ACORN stopped its work in 2010. In early 2014, she helped New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio when he was starting his term.

Who is Bertha Lewis?

Bertha Lewis was born in 1951. She has spent her life working to make things fairer for everyone. She believes in helping communities. She wants to make sure everyone has a voice.

Her Early Life and Education

Bertha Lewis went to Hanover College. This college is in Hanover, Indiana. She studied there from 1967 to 1968.

Leading ACORN

In May 2008, Bertha Lewis became the leader of ACORN. ACORN was a big group with 400,000 members. They were active in over 110 cities. Bertha Lewis had worked with ACORN for 16 years. Before becoming the main leader, she led ACORN's New York office. She also helped start the New York Working Families Party.

Her Work with The Black Institute

After ACORN, Bertha Lewis founded The Black Institute. This group is an "action tank." This means it works to create new ideas. It also tries to influence public rules. Its goal is to do this from a Black perspective. This view includes all people of color. It also includes people from the African Diaspora. The Diaspora means people of African descent living outside of Africa.

Views on Plastic Bags

Bertha Lewis has spoken out against banning plastic bags. In New York City, there was a plan to stop using plastic bags. She did not agree with this plan. She received payments from a group called the American Progressive Bag Alliance. This group works for companies that make plastic bags.

Awards and Recognition

Bertha Lewis has received many awards for her work:

• In 2004, she won the Citizen Activist Award. This was for her work in improving public education.
• In 2005, she received the Leon Bogues award. This was for her community and political work. It was given by New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc.
• In 2006, New York magazine called her one of the "Influentials" in politics.
• In 2007, Crains magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential Women of New York.