Shirley knew that the world needed change. She began to organize people and fight to make a difference. Working in the government could improve the lives of people all over the United States! Her work took her all the way to the presidental campaign trail.

One hundred years before Rosa Parks took her stand, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jennings tried to board a streetcar in New York City on her way to church. Though there were plenty of empty seats, she was denied entry, assaulted, and threatened all because of her race -- even though New York was a free state at that time. Lizzie decided to fight back. She told her story, took her case to court -- where future president Chester Arthur represented her -- and...