Lois Curtis
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Ms. Curtis spent her adolescent and adult life as a resident in various state-run institutions. After her repeated requests to be allowed to live in the community were denied, Ms. Curtis sued the state of Georgia. In 1999, her case came before the U.S. Supreme Court. Victorious, the landmark decision declared “unnecessary institutionalization amounts to segregation and is a violation of individual civil rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.” Ms. Curtis’ case became a national mandate to free tens of thousands of people with disabilities from unnecessary and unjust institutionalization.
Today, Ms. Curtis receives community-based supports and enjoys life outside the institution. The recognition that she has received for her incredible talent, in conjunction with her passion, has motivated her to make art and advocacy her life’s work.
Lois Curtis’ uncommon self-advocacy began a chain of events that has affected the lives of people with disabilities across the nation. Lois became a civil rights activist and her actions became a catalyst within the disability rights movement.Lois’ actions have had a profound affect upon the system of supports for people with disabilities and many individuals have been released from institutions because of Lois and the “Olmstead Decision.”
Today Lois is a successful artist and activist. In addition to several one-woman shows, Lois’ artwork has been displayed in venues across the country and is a part of the Kilpatrick Stockton Law Firm collection in Atlanta. As an activist, she travels across the country inspiring people to stand up for themselves and live their dreams. Most important to this native Georgian is the recognition she has received by, among others, Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, who has invited her to present her story and artwork at several events and statewide conferences; Dekalb County CEO Vernon Jones, who declared May 2006 “Lois Curtis Month;” and Georgia Department of Developmental Disabilities Director Dr. Steve Hall, who gave credit to Lois for the passage of the new Georgia Medicaid Waivers. Dr. Hall said of Lois, “Everyone of us doing good work in Georgia stands on the shoulders of this great woman.”
Most recently, Ms. Curtis was one of six recipients of the 2007 Harriet Tubman Act of Courage Award.
She was honored to be part of the group that included Congressman John Lewis, well-known hero of the civil rights movement.