Ora M. Lewis was one of the most effective journalists and negotiators for the desegregation of Louisiana in the 1930's through the 1960's and the establishment of protections of voting rights in America. As a journalist, she earned the respect of the Archbishop of New Orleans, Joseph Rummel with the publication of her history making article Letter To The Archbishop on July 23, 1938. Ms. Lewis' ground breaking article inspired Archbishop Rummel to request her presence at their first official meeting that would lead to a 30 year conciliatory discourse on the ills of segregation in the Catholic Church of Louisiana. Ms. Lewis' journalistic work at the historic Sepia Socialite New Orleans newspaper continued to earn her a reputation as an outspoken proponent of social change. Her poignant article, Black hands and yellow cheeks published in the January 1940 issue of the Sepia Socialite was vehemently acknowledged by US Senator Allen Ellender. Senator Ellender used this issue to deliver a fiery speech on January 29, 1940 before the 76th Congress about voting rights activism of African American voters in Louisiana. Senator Ellender appealed for amnesty from Congress for his connection to the many acts of violence and harassment against African American voters. Ms. Lewis' writings and activities as a member of Sepia Socialite effectively raised awareness of the need for voting rights protections to a national political level and set the stage for major legislative change.
               The life, efforts and accomplishments of Ora M. Lewis will be featured in a major forthcoming film. The film will be the first of its kind to reveal the complexities of monumental decisions by Archbishop Joseph Rummel to desegregate the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and ultimately its deeply divided schools. The once hidden influence of Ora M. Lewis as a journalist and negotiator will be illustrated in this telling cinematic exploration. Ms. Lewis' visionary voting rights efforts covered a span of 25 years from 1940 through 1965. Her notable journalistic feats were accompanied by her tremendous grassroots work with voters who had been intimitated by blatant harassment and arrests by government officials. This will be the first film to reveal the actual involvement and source of these damaging tactics to thwart African Americans voters in the 1940's by US government officials. By the admission of US Senator Allen Ellender during his 1940 rhetorical appeal to the 76th Congress, voters were "questioned for hours" and even "subpoened before the Federal grad jury." Senator Ellender's address on this matter sealed voting rights violations as an issue of national and Congressional concern, and Ms. Lewis was at the center of its influence. The film will encompass these dynamics and finally illustrate the impact of Ora M. Lewis upon American history.