Streetcar to Justice: How Elizabeth Jennings Won the Right to Ride in New York

In 1854, a young African American woman named Elizabeth Jennings won a major victory for civil rights when she refused to leave a streetcar in New York City, sparking a movement to end segregation in public transportation. This is her story, told in a powerful and inspiring way by Amy Hill Hearth, with illustrations by the award-winning artist, Jonah Winter. Elizabeth Jennings was a school teacher and a church organist, and she was tired of being treated like a second-class citizen. When she boarded the streetcar, she was told to leave, but she refused, even when the driver threatened to call the police. She was arrested and taken to court, but she stood her ground, and her courage inspired a movement. The streetcar company eventually changed its policies, and Elizabeth's act of defiance paved the way for the end of segregation in New York City. This is a story of courage, perseverance, and the power of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. It is a story that will inspire young readers to make a difference in their own communities and to never give up in the face of injustice.