Rosa Parks

1591 Words4 Pages

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks, born in Tuskegee, Alabama on February 4, 1913 in was raised in an era during which segregation was normal and black suppression was a way of life. She lived with relatives in Montgomery, where she finished high school in 1933 and continued her education at Alabama State College. She married her husband, Raymond Parks, a barber, in 1932. She worked as a clerk, an insurance salesperson, and a tailor’s assistant at a department store. She was also employed as a seamstress by white residents of Montgomery who were supporters of black Americans’ struggle for freedom and equal rights. Parks became active in civil rights work in the 1930’s. In 1943 Rosa became one of the first women to join the Montgomery National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Between 1943 and 1956 she served as a secretary for the group and later as an advisor to the NAACP Youth Council. She also contributed to the Montgomery Voters League to increase black voter registration. During the summer of 1955 Rosa accepted a scholarship given to community leaders which gave her a chance to work on school integration at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. This was an excellent opportunity for her because she was able to experience racial harmony which nurtured her activism. Obviously Rosa, like many others, dedicated many years of her life trying to increase equality for black Americans. Though these efforts did not go unnoticed or fail in making any progress, it wasn’t until Dec. 1 of 1955 that Rosa made a decision that would later make her known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”. On this significant day Rosa simply refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man who was standing. Though i...

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... it was the way in which she did it. She didn’t argue, she didn’t yell or threaten anyone. She did not make a scene. She protested in a peaceful way, and it’s great to know that even if young people are not taught the details of her life they can admire her and realize that violence and hatred are not needed for things to change. On Dec. 1 of 1955 Rosa simply remained seated, and by doing so took a stand, one that has made her one of the most honorable figures in US history.

Works Cited

1. “Rosa Louis McCauley Parks 1913-.” African American Almanac. 1985.

2. Koeller, David. “The Montgomery Bus Boycott.” North Park University. 1999

dkoeller@northpark.edu*

3. “Rosa Parks.” Acheivement.org. 1997. The Hall of Public Service. 2000.

http://www.acheivement.org/autodoc/page/par0bio-1*

4. Parks, Rosa. Rosa Parks: My Story. New York, 1992.

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