The Icon Series

Audre Lorde was a self-described ‘Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet’ whose work and activism challenged racism, sexism, homophobia, and class oppression. She used her writing to explore the intersections of her identities and to call for justice and equity. Lorde’s poetry became a powerful tool for resistance, and her essays critiqued the failure of mainstream feminism to address race and class. Lorde believed in the power of naming one’s experiences and emphasized solidarity among marginalized communities. Her legacy continues to inspire intersectional approaches to social justice.

Larry Itliong was a Filipino-American labor leader and activist who was pivotal in the American labor movement. He organized West Coast farmworkers, notably leading the Delano Grape Strike in 1965, which united Filipino and Mexican laborers and helped form the United Farm Workers (UFW). An advocate for racial equity and workers' rights, Itliong's efforts improved wages and conditions for thousands of agricultural workers. Though often overshadowed in history, Itliong's role in the labor movement helped shape the modern pursuit of economic and racial justice.

Malcolm X was a powerful voice for Black empowerment and racial and economic justice. After the murder of his father, and a difficult childhood, he transformed his life during a prison sentence, embracing the Nation of Islam’s teachings and emerging as a prominent leader. Advocating for Black Power, self-defense, and economic independence, he challenged systemic racism with bold, assertive rhetoric promoting unity and global solidarity. Assassinated in 1965, Malcolm X's legacy endures as a symbol of resilience, transformation, and the fight against oppression, inspiring worldwide Black pride.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to pursuing justice, equality, and peace through nonviolent resistance. Born in a segregated South, he rose to prominence during the Civil Rights Movement, leading actions like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and delivering his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. Dr. King fought for racial equity and economic justice, envisioning a world where all people could thrive. Though his life was tragically cut short, his legacy endures as an inspiration.

Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina and the third woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her journey from a public housing project to Princeton and Yale Law, and later to the highest court in the country speaks to the power of perseverance and the importance of representation. Known as the "People’s Justice," she embodies empathy in law, advocating for marginalized communities and offering hope to those seeking to overcome systemic barriers. Her legacy proves that those historically excluded can indeed shape the future of justice and equity in America.

Thurgood Marshall was the first Black Supreme Court Justice and a pioneering civil rights advocate. He played a crucial role in landmark cases, including Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled school segregation unconstitutional. Marshall also served as NAACP’s legal counsel, arguing cases to combat racial discrimination and promote social justice. Appointed to the Supreme Court in 1967, he championed racial equality affirmative action, demonstrating the importance of using the law as a tool for change.

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. 

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. NHCJE chose him as a sticker to commemorate his commitment to creating a better world for his people.

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.

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.

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.

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.