How did Atticus finch impact the community?

In "To Kill a Mockingbird" Atticus Finch was a white lawyer who defended a "black" man accused of raping and murdering a white girl. The accused maintained his innocence and Atticus Finch defended him to the best of his ability despite significant difficulties from the community. Since it was back in the time of civil unrest and racial segregation, it had a huge impact on the community, as Atticus Finch was a highly respected attorney in the white community, who ended up drawing the utmost in adoration and respect from the entire black community for his efforts to stand up for the truth regardless of race.