NHCJE Icons Collection: Honoring Our Justice Pioneers Through Art
As an intern brought on board with art and design in mind, Matt Lambert was tasked with creating visual elements that reflected the values of the New Hampshire Center for Justice and Equity. “Our team decided the best first step would be through a sticker collection. Inspired by a piece for our office done by Positive Street Art (Nashua, NH), I drew six social justice activists ranging in identity groups, whose goals and qualities corresponded with our own.” - Matt Lambert
As part of our giving thanks this season, we are sharing Matt’s work and those who came before us and paved the way for today’s justice and equity work. While we do this as part of our Thanksgiving reflections, we are reflecting on the harmful myths and stereotypes about Indigenous peoples. This art, and this series of blogs, seeks to honor the lives lost to racism and come together against injustice and discrimination.
For each of the next 6 days, NHCJE will provide a summary of the amazing lives of each of the icons in the series. Briefly, those icons and why they were selected are provided:
Angela Davis: A Symbol of Resilience and Justice
Angela Davis was the first sticker made. Davis is known for being falsely accused as a terrorist in the 70’s and spending 18 months in jail for a murder crime that she did not commit. She then became a strong advocate for the abolition of mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex. Angela Davis is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community and sits at the intersection of race and gender. Her fierce and calculated approach to fighting for justice is visible in all her actions. Her persistence to challenge the justice system in America and continuing to push for equity makes her a clear choice to represent NHCJE ideals.
Yuri Kochiyama: Bridging Communities and Fighting Oppression
Asian American activist Yuri Kochiyama also inspired a sticker. Kochiyama was born to Japanese immigrants in 1921 and became an activist in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement. She famously worked closely with Malcolm X and was inspired by his work fighting for the Black community. Kochiyama was chosen as a sticker for her actions as an Asian American activist, but also her beliefs that the Black and Asian communities are stronger together when fighting systems of oppression. NHCJE echoes Yuri Kochiyama’s values that communities of color are more powerful together. Kochiyama is a bright reminder of what can be accomplished through community and collaboration.
Judith Heumann: Championing Disability Rights and Inclusivity
Judith Heumann was also made into a sticker for her endless achievements as an activist for people with disabilities. Judith Heumann was diagnosed with polio at 18 months old and used a wheelchair from then on. Heumann fought tirelessly for the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and other important legislation that supports people with disabilities. Judith Heumann’s passion for justice and her contributions to changing how we all see disabilities cemented her as an activist leader forever. Her work speaks to how people with disabilities cannot be left out of the picture, and that the world needs to be built equitably for all. NHCJE continues to carry this message.
Marsha P. Johnson: A Trailblazer in the Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality and Rights
Marsha P. Johnson is one of the most prominent names in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Born in 1945, Johnson was a transgender woman at a time when her identity was seen as wrong and threatening to her home state of New York. In 1969, Johnson witnessed the police raid on the Stonewall Inn. This sparked her advocacy for her own community. She went on to not only be a frontrunner in the building of the gay rights movement but also challenged the movement to better incorporate people of color at the intersection of gender and race. As a legendary leader of the LGBTQ+ community, Marsha P. Johnson built safe spaces for trans youth, strengthened organizations for gay rights, and fought against the stigmatization of H.I.V/A.I.D.S. NHCJE is inspired by Marsha P. Johnson and the way she built a pathway for the Black LGBTQ+ community to be seen, acknowledged, and supported.
Cesar Chavez: A Champion of Farm Workers' Rights and Nonviolent Activism
Cesar Chavez was a Latino civil rights activist and a community organizer with a specific interest in labor movements for farm workers. Chavez grew up in the 1930s and 40s as a migrant farm worker with his family. He became well aware of the inequities of the labor system for immigrant and Latinx farm workers. As an adult in the 1950s, Chavez set his sights on creating a union for the farmers he had seen suffering his whole life - which at the time was seen as an impossible task. He succeeded by founding the National Farm Workers Association (now the United Farm Workers of America), the first farm workers union in U.S. history. Chavez’s work spanned from creating the first credit union for farm workers to building affordable housing. Cesar Chavez was also a believer in nonviolent protests and once fasted for 36 days on his mission for justice. Chavez's work to fight discrimination was dangerous for himself and his family. NHCJE chose him as a sticker to commemorate his commitment to creating a better world for his people.
John Lewis: A Lifetime of Leadership in the Pursuit of Justice
John Lewis was one of the most renowned leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and fought for social justice for over 40 years. His actions included segregated lunch counter sit-ins, risking his life as a part of the Freedom Riders, and being one of the top political leaders in the country. Lewis served in many forms of government including the Atlanta City Council, Georgia's Fifth Congressional District, the Senior Chief Deputy Democratic Whip, the Congressional Black Caucus, and much more. Overall, Lewis was an experienced seeker of justice who used his positions to fight for equity for all. Inspired by his commitment to “good trouble”, he is a daily reminder for the NHCJE to commit to the mission at hand.
NHCJE’s Icons Collection pays tribute to remarkable individuals who led and shaped the pursuit of Justice and Equity. Recognizing Angela Davis's indomitable spirit, Yuri Kochiyama's dedication to solidarity, Judith Heumann's tireless pursuit of inclusivity, Marsha P. Johnson's groundbreaking strides in LGBTQ+ rights, Cesar Chavez's nonviolent protests for farm worker rights, and John Lewis’ long legacy for racial justice, these stickers are reminders of the principles that NHCJE holds dear. We are grateful for how they inspire us to continue the fight toward our mission:
“We envision a vibrant, flourishing, just, and equitable New Hampshire for all.”
Who is your icon? We are collecting suggestions for the next series of NHCJE Icons. Let us know who you would honor by clicking the button below.
Additional Articles From The Icon Series
