Statement of United Way Worldwide on the Passing of Rep. John R. Lewis and Rev. C.T. Vivian

With the passing of Rep. John Lewis and Rev. C.T. Vivian, America has lost two critical voices in the fight for justice and equality.

Their legacies in the civil rights struggle for African Americans remind us how far we have come, but also how long our journey remains to ensure dignity and respect for all.

Their leadership and commitment to standing up for what is right shone on the streets, at the pulpit, and in the halls of the Congress. We honor them by continuing to speak for the voiceless, fight for the vulnerable and seek a more just society.

This work matters for all who believe, like Representative Lewis and Reverend Vivian, that we can and must do better – both as a nation and a people.