City Of Stow Hosts March To Commemorate John Lewis Memorial Bridge

Press release from the City of Stow:

June 15, 2021

By Kristin Spicer

City of Stow Hosts March to Commemorate John Lewis Memorial Bridge

The City of Stow, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative is proud to announce the dedication of The John Lewis Memorial Bridge. Saturday, July 17, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 11: 00 AM.

In September 2020, Stow City Council passed a resolution to rename the Steels Corners Bridge after Congressman John Lewis. The bridge naming resolution follows the unanimously passed resolution to Promote Racial Equality in Stow, co-sponsored by Councilwomen Sindi Harrison and Christina Shaw in June 2020.

On July 17, 2021, The City of Stow will commemorate the naming of The John Lewis Memorial Bridge with a march across the bridge and dedication ceremony. The march will begin at 9:00 AM from the T.G.I.Friday’s parking lot, move across the bridge and end at the Stow Municipal Court for the dedication. The dedication program will begin at Stow Municipal Court at 9:45 AM.

“John Lewis was a tremendous man, and this dedication of The John Lewis Memorial Bridge is one way we can honor his legacy as a staunch supporter of equality and The City of Stow’s commitment to support diversity.” said City of Stow Mayor John Pribonic.

The bridge dedication is one of three events currently being promoted by the City of Stow Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative. The City of Stow has also renamed what was once The Silver Springs Lodge, The Leona Farris Lodge in honor of former Stow resident Leona Farris which will be dedicated September 16, 2021. The new Summa Health Stow-Kent Medical Center opening June 26, 2021 will also pay homage to the first Black residents of Stow, including Leona Farris, whose homes once stood on the site.

Complete information about The March to Commemorate The John Lewis Memorial Bridge can be found at the City of Stow Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website: https://stowohio.org/dei-initiative/

The City of Stow has also set up two Diversity, Equity and Inclusion scholarships through the Stow Schools Foundation, and sponsorship opportunities for the John Lewis Memorial Bridge naming event directly support those scholarships. Inquiries about sponsorship and all other inquiries can be directed to: stowdei@stow.oh.us.

This press release was produced by the City of Stow.The views expressed here are the author’s own.