ASHEBORO, N.C. — Asheboro's first female African-American city council person was also a leader in the civil rights movement. On Thursday, Katie Snuggs shared her story at the Asheboro library.

• Katie Snuggs is the first African-American female city council person in Asheboro.
• Snuggs is a leader in the civil rights movement and was arrested for participating in sit-ins.
• She shared her story with neighbors at the Asheboro library on Thursday.

She told the crowd about how she fought her way to equality in the 1960s, including how she was arrested for participating in sit-ins at local restaurants.

Spectrum News asked her if she hopes her story inspires other kids to be leaders.

"A leader, or whatever. But just be a good person. And always remember to always try to help somebody else,” Snuggs said. "I don't know whether there's a lot young girls that look up to me or not. But my granddaughters, they do. And they always said, 'I want to be just like Grandma Katie.' And so I am proud of that."

Snuggs may retell the past, but she's not living in it. She says she forgives the people she feels did her wrong. However, she also believes more change is needed.