America's First Freedom Rider: Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights

Dive into the riveting narrative of "America's First Freedom Rider: Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights," where the bustling, perilous streets of 1854 New York set the stage for a landmark moment in the battle for racial justice. Elizabeth Jennings's ordinary day transformed into an extraordinary fight for equality when she was forcibly removed from a segregated streetcar, sparking the pivotal lawsuit, Elizabeth Jennings v. Third Avenue Rail Road. Represented by future U.S. President Chester A. Arthur, Jennings's victory not only challenged the norms of her day but also marked a significant stride towards desegregating public transit. Published on December 17, 2019, this book unveils the intertwined lives of Jennings and Arthur, capturing the essence of America at its worst and its best. Elementary school readers will find inspiration in Jennings’s resilience and the early fight for civil rights, encouraging a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggle for racial justice. This story is a testament to the power of courage and conviction, urging us to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still have to go.