Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom Presents John Lewis Youth Leadership Award The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, established in 2021 by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), aims to honor the extraordinary accomplishments of Congressman John Lewis. The Lieutenant Governor of Alaska will annually recognize 2 Alaskan youth who exemplify the same courage and passion as Congressman John Lewis. Congressman John Lewis His courageous achievements during the Civil Rights Movement and his long tenure of public service have inspired and will continue to inspire Americans for generations to come. In 1961, at the age of 21, Lewis was one of the original thirteen Freedom Riders. In 1963, Lewis was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington and also one of the “Big Six” leaders that organized the march. In 1965, Lewis helped lead the Selma to Montgomery marches. The first march took place on March 7, 1965 at the Edmund Pettus Bridge where unarmed marchers were attacked by state troopers. The event later became known as “Bloody Sunday” and was a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement. Lewis’ activism at an early age continued throughout his life and he served as a U.S. Congressman for 33 years until he passed away in 2020. The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award was created in February 2021, as a way for NASS members to recognize a gifted, civic-minded young person in their state each year. The recipient should demonstrate leadership abilities, have a passion for social justice, and be motivated to improve the quality of life in their community. View a video featuring the 2022 award recipients here. For more information, visit the NASS John Lewis Youth Leadership Award webpage Eligibility The applicant must be 25 years or younger. The applicant should demonstrate leadership abilities and have a passion for social justice. The applicant is recognized in their community for being civic-minded and improving the quality of life in their community. The community must be within Alaska. The applicant has shown a meaningful commitment to address civil rights issues, including but not limited to voting rights, and to authentically bring about positive change in his or her community. Examples could include youth leadership in a specific project or program, advocacy, or even literature as the Congressman also won a National Book Award for young people’s literature. Determination of Winners Applicants will be judged based on their ability to demonstrate leadership skills and advocacy for social justice. A panel of 3 judges will review applications and determine which 2 applicants were able to create the greatest impact in their community. Application Applications must be turned into the Lieutenant Governor’s Office no later than October 31st, 2023. Winner’s will receive an acknowledgement plaque presented to them by Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom. Please see this link for the application: John Lewis Youth leadership Awards Application Please submit the application here along with any supporting media articles including but not limited to news paper articles, magazine articles, and social media posts HERE.