Recently it was reported that John Lewis made the following comment regarding the possibility of Sen. Elizabeth Warren becoming Secretary Hillary Clinton’s Vice Presidential running mate:
"I’m not sure the country can take two women."
Knowing John Lewis’ record in fighting for the rights of others, I strongly doubt that this statement was made due to Mr. Lewis’ own readiness to seeing two women run on a presidential ticket and, rather, was made out of the uncertainty of whether this nation is ready for such a wonderful event.
It is not as if Mr. Lewis is devoid of reasons to be unsure if this country is ready for such an eventuality. After all, Conservatives continue to search for ways to rob women of their rights, we are living in a nation divided as to the worthiness of its first brilliant African American President, we are still living in a nation where many of our fellow citizens continue to exhibit intolerance towards members of the LGBTQ community, and we are continuously stunned by the sizable acceptance of Donald J. Trump and his politics of sexism and intolerance.
John Lewis’ uncertainty on whether our country is ready for two women running for the highest offices in the land is not a reflection of John Lewis’ mindset. It is a reflection of the difficulties and prejudices we are still facing as a country.
It is my belief that this veteran in the fight for Civil Rights is more than ready for such a breakthrough in history. Still, if there is anyone who is doubtful of the good intentions of Mr. Lewis as it relates to women, some brief facts are in order:
John Lewis on the election of Hillary Clinton:
"The election of Hillary Clinton as the first woman would go a long ways in moving us much farther down that road to creating an America, and maybe a world community, where we forget about not just race but also gender, and see people as people."
John Lewis on why it is important for a woman to become president:
It's still important that women be at the table, that women be in charge. Look at all the young girls, young women. For them to have a president, a madam president, that would say to young girls and say to young women, "if Hillary Clinton can do it, I can do it, too."
John Lewis endorses Hillary Clinton:
"As our former Secretary of State, Senator from New York, and first Lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton is the most qualified person to be President of the United States," said Congressman Lewis in a statement released Wednesday by the campaign.
No animus toward Sen. Warren. Lewis felt so strongly about the Senator that he traveled to campaign for her during her Senate run:
Lewis also praised Elizabeth: “She will vote so that you can marry the one that you love and she will make certain that it is a woman’s choice what she can and cannot do with her own body.” Elizabeth was very touched. “I love being here with John Lewis. The memories you carry in your heart I will carry in mine. He’s a man who changed history.”
The ACLU on John Lewis:
"One of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced," John Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing personal dignity and building what he calls "The Beloved Community." He has displayed a sense of ethics and morality that has won him the admiration of many of his colleagues in the United States Congress.
Getting into Good Trouble for Women:
In 2006, he was honored as the Planned Parenthood Living Legend for his lifetime fight protecting the rights of women to control their own bodies and plan their families without government interference.
He realizes that for many women health care coverage is another institution with systemic gender discrimination that needs reform. He introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to establish a tax credit to improve access to medical treatment for infertility, a problem affecting millions of Americans. The Family Act of 2011 (HR 3522) is the first tax credit introduced in Congress to support those seeking to build a family through medical treatment for infertility.
Congressman Lewis has supported other legislation for women that includes:
The Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act and the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act.
Introduced the Look-Back Elimination Act, the National Parents Corps Act, and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Assets for Independence Act
The Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill to eliminate pay disparities between men and women.
The Healthy Families Act, a bill to establish a national paid sick days standard
The Family and Medical Leave Act, a bill to expand and improve FMLA benefits.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) rated the voting records of members of the 110th Congress and Congressman John Lewis received a perfect score.
Served as the first President of the Board for the Atlanta Men Stopping Violence organization.
100% pro-choice voting record rating by NARAL
Lewis signed Equal Rights Amendment for men and women