Lizzie Demands a Seat: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights

Screen Shot 2019-11-11 at 1.38.28 PMIn 1854, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Jennings, an African American schoolteacher, fought back when she was unjustly denied entry to a New York City streetcar, sparking the beginnings of the long struggle to gain equal rights on public transportation.

One hundred years before Rosa Parks took her stand, Lizzie Jennings tried to board a streetcar in New York City on her way to church. Though there were plenty of empty seats, she was denied entry, assaulted, and threatened all because of her race—even though New York was a free state at that time. Lizzie decided to fight back. She told her story, took her case to court—where future president Chester Arthur represented her—and won! Her victory was the first recorded in the fight for equal rights on public transportation, and Lizzie’s case set a precedent. Author Beth Anderson and acclaimed illustrator E. B. Lewis bring this inspiring, little-known story to life in this captivating nonfiction book. Includes an author’s note about research, bibliography, and archival images.

Screen Shot 2019-11-11 at 1.38.49 PME. B. LEWIS is an award-winning illustrator and fine artist who has illustrated over seventy books for children. He teaches at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and lives in New Jersey.

“Beth Anderson does a remarkable job of bringing the oft-overlooked story of Elizabeth “Lizzie” Jennings and her fight for equality to light. It is necessary for kids and adults alike to understand that racial discrimination wasn’t only found in the American South, and Anderson simply but beautifully demonstrates this in her book. Lizzie Jennings was a brave pioneer who paved the way for future female leaders of the civil rights movement.”—Donna M. Beisel, K–12 Education Coordinator, Rosa Parks Museum

Educator Guide
Class Activity: Path of Inspiration (PDF), Path of Inspiration (Power Point)
see photos below

StoryMakers with Beth Anderson LIZZIE DEMANDS A SEAT!

Video Thumbnail
 

Brave Girls Storytime from the National Women’s History Museum – reading and interview

Screen Shot 2022-10-27 at 12.30.23 PM

Honors:  

Reviews:

⭐️ “…Anderson’s third-person text allows readers under Lizzie’s skin as her indignation at injustice mounts. Children will readily recognize both the conductor’s capricious cruelty and Lizzie’s anger that “being born a ‘free black’ in a ‘free state’ ” does not mean being “treated as equal.” Lewis’ dappled watercolors depict the action and extend it… Necessary.”  ~Kirkus

Lizzie cover hi-res JPEG
Amazon • Barnes & Noble   • Bookshop.org • IndieBound• Books-A-Million

⭐️ “…Anderson’s vivid, well- researched narrative includes dialogue that “closely follows” accounts of Jennings’ experience that appeared in newspapers at the time. Using brighter hues than his usual palette, Lewis creates a series of vibrant, expressive watercolor paintings that transports viewers back in time, while portraying characters as distinct individuals. A memorable picture book introducing a nineteenth-century defender of civil rights.”  ~Booklist”

⭐️ “…When Jennings is thrown off the streetcar, shown in a dramatic spread, a white witness steps forward, and Jennings decides to take her case to court—a risk: “if she failed to win, she could make it worse.” But, supported by her community, she does win, notching the first victory in what would become a 100-year-long battle to end segregation on public transportation. Shimmering jewel-toned watercolors blur and delineate details in Lewis’s paintings…” ~ Publishers Weekly

⭐️  “…The well-chosen language—“She’d been rejected, restricted, and refused by schools, restaurants, and theaters”—is a pleasure to read aloud. Departing from the somber palette he used for Jabari Asim’s Preaching to the Chickens, Lewis employs pastel colors, shades of blues, pinks, and purples, and plenty of background yellow to portray the characters and their surroundings. This lightens the story and supports its positive outcome. Shadowy background figures remind careful readers of the larger community that supported Jennings and were affected…VERDICT An important story beautifully told.”  ~ School Library Journal

For signed copies of my books, visit The Wandering Jellyfish HERE.

A bit about the writing:

Blog reviews and interviews:

A Path of Inspiration – a few samples from school visits

PXL_20210105_201118075
Pulaski Street School, Long Island