2022 Edmonia Lewis Forever First Class Postage Stamps

Identity and Heritage: Mary Edmonia Lewis (1844–1907) was an American sculptor of both African American and Native American (Anishinaabe/Ojibwa) heritage. 
Early Life and Education: Orphaned at a young age, Lewis was primarily supported and educated by her older half-brother, Samuel. She received education from African American nuns in Baltimore and attended a coeducational school before enrolling at Oberlin College in Ohio, an early advocate for coeducation, abolitionism, and integration. 
Challenges and Recognition: Despite attending Oberlin, Lewis faced racial discrimination and false accusations during her time there, including a poisoning charge and a mob attack. She later achieved international acclaim as a sculptor, often creating works exploring racial themes and incorporating classical Greek and Roman art styles. 
Career and Legacy: Lewis spent most of her professional career in Rome, Italy, where she found greater opportunities as a woman artist of color. Her studio became a notable stop for prominent visitors, and she sculpted figures related to the anti-slavery movement, religious themes, and her dual heritage. She is recognized as the first Black woman to be respected by the American art market of her era.