by Anne on December 13, 2010
Ella Josephine Baker, civil rights worker
Dec. 13, 1903-Dec. 13, 1986

Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)
Baker, a civil rights worker was active in the NAACP and helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Read a biography of Baker at a Law Library site.
by Anne on September 29, 2010
Walter Anderson, artist, writer, naturalist
September 29, 1903-November 30, 1965

The Secret World of Walter Anderson by Hester Bass, illustrated by E. B. Lewis (Candlewick 2009)
Walter Anderson explored and studied and painted the wildlife of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. But it wasn’t until after his death that his wife discovered the glorious art he made in a cottage on Horn Island for himself. It was his secret world and soon all would marvel at its detail and depth and design.
The Smithsonian Institute presented an exhibit in 2005, Walter Anderson: Everything I See is New and Strange.
Lou Gehrig, athlete
June 19, 1903-June 2, 1941

Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man by David A. Adler, illustrated by Terry Widener (Gulliver Books, 1997)
A three-hankie story, Gehrig, the baseball great who suffered from ALS always looked on the bright side of life.
A biography, photos and more can be found at the Lou Gehrig Official Web Site.
Red Grange, athlete
June 13, 1903-January 28, 1991

Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1997)
Grange, a college football player-turned-professional was the first to make $100,000 a year. And yes, he had red hair.
A bio and stats of Grange can be found at the Official Site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Maud Lewis, artist
Mar. 7, 1903-July 30, 1970
Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Mark Lang (Tundra Books, 2002)
Lewis, a Canadian artist who had physical disabilities, painted amazing images in a primitive folk art style. Five-star inspirational.
To learn more about this gifted artist, visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.