Lois Curtis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lois Curtis
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Curtis (middle) with President Barack Obama in 2011
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| Born | July 14, 1967 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
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| Died | November 3, 2022 (aged 55) Clarkston, Georgia, U.S.
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| Occupation | Artist |
| Known for | Disability rights activism |
Lois Jeanette Curtis (born July 14, 1967 – died November 3, 2022) was an American artist. She was also a very important person in a big court case called the Olmstead Decision. In this case, the Supreme Court of the United States decided that it was wrong to keep people with disabilities separated from others without a good reason. This decision was a big win for disability rights and followed the rules of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Early Life
Lois Curtis was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 14, 1967. Her mother, Mae Curtis Keith, worked as a housekeeper. Her father, Melvin Lewis Curtis, was a truck driver. Lois had two sisters, Bobbie Jean Cloud and Patricia Cook.
Lois grew up with disabilities that affected her thinking and development. These challenges made school difficult for her and her family. Because of this, she often left school. She ended up spending almost twenty years in places like jails and hospitals for mental health care, starting when she was eleven.
The Olmstead Decision
Lois Curtis, along with another person named Elaine Wilson, was the main person in a very important case that went to the Supreme Court of the United States. This case was called Olmstead v. L.C. On June 22, 1999, the court decided that keeping people with disabilities separate from others without a good reason was unfair. They said this was a type of discrimination, which goes against the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the judges, explained why this was important. She said that being kept in an institution "greatly reduces the daily life activities of individuals." This includes things like family time, making friends, job choices, being able to earn money, getting an education, and enjoying culture.
Before the Supreme Court case, a federal court case happened in 1995. The Atlanta Legal Aid Society started this case. They sued Tommy Olmstead, who was in charge of human services for the State of Georgia. They asked for Lois Curtis, who was 26 at the time, to be moved out of an institution and into care within the community. The court agreed with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. However, the state of Georgia disagreed and took the case to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court's decision became known as the Olmstead Decision. It changed how services are given to people with disabilities. Instead of keeping people in institutions, the focus shifted to helping them live in their communities.
Advocacy and Art Career
Lois Curtis was a strong supporter for the rights of people with disabilities. She was also a talented artist. She created portraits using pastels and acrylic paints. On June 20, 2011, Lois met President Barack Obama at the White House. She even gave him one of her paintings.
Personal Life and Passing
Lois Curtis passed away from pancreatic cancer at her home in Clarkston, Georgia. She died on November 3, 2022, when she was 55 years old.
