15 Facts about Rosa Parks

In 1955, Rosa Parks was on her manner residence from her job at a division retailer. It had been a protracted day, however as Parks would later clarify, she wasn’t extra drained than ordinary. Her supply of exhaustion got here from years of tolerating racial discrimination and hatred. When the bus driver advised her to surrender her seat so white passengers may get an additional row, Rosa determined she had had sufficient. Her refusal to maneuver sparked a nationwide surge of activism in opposition to the systemic racism infecting the US. On this article, we’ll discover 15 of a very powerful information about Rosa Parks, one of the vital essential Civil Rights icons.

#1. Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to surrender her bus seat in 1955

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was returning residence from work. The bus system was segregated, which meant white individuals received the primary rows on the bus, whereas Black individuals have been made to sit down on the again. Rosa was sitting the place she was presupposed to, however the driver advised her she wanted to maneuver additional again to offer white riders extra room. When she refused, the police arrived and arrested her.

#2. Due to her protest, Rosa Parks is named the “Mom of the Civil Rights Motion”

The Civil Rights Motion was probably the most important time for equal rights in Twentieth-century America. For over a century of discrimination, legalized segregation and racial violence after the Civil Struggle, Black People and their allies fought for equality, however from 1954-1968, a large wave of activism and progress ushered in a greater period. Rosa Parks’ refusal to surrender her bus seat represented a serious turning level. It led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a year-long protest in opposition to segregation, and ultimately, a courtroom case that ended bus segregation in Alabama.

#3. Rosa misplaced her case 

After Rosa’s arrest, E.D. Nixon, the president of the Alabama NAACP, and some pals paid her bail. Simply 4 days later, Rosa’s case went to trial. The NAACP organized a boycott of the bus system and inspired individuals to both keep residence, stroll or take a cab in assist of Rosa. Rosa misplaced her case and was fined $14.00. Whereas she might have misplaced in courtroom, Rosa’s story was removed from over.

#4. Rosa’s protest sparked the Montgomery bus boycott

After Rosa’s case ended, activists determined to maintain protesting the segregated bus system. They fashioned the Montgomery Enchancment Affiliation (MIA), which was designed to prepare and handle the boycott. Martin Luther King Jr, who was simply 26 years outdated on the time, was elected president. Rosa served on the manager board of administrators and labored briefly as a dispatcher. On this function, she helped join boycott members with the rides they wanted to get to work, college and different commitments. As a part of their work, the MIA created a carpool system. Over 300 non-public vehicles have been out there at anyone time together with 22 station wagons offered by church buildings. Because of this technique, round 30,000 individuals have been helped each day.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an essential determine within the Montgomery bus boycott. Listed below are 11 information concerning the Civil Rights icon.

#5. Rosa was arrested once more in 1956

On February 21, 1956, a Montgomery grand jury indicted Rosa Parks, E.D. Nixon, Martin Luther King Jr, and 86 different individuals for violating Alabama’s Anti-Boycott Act. By taking part within the bus boycott, they have been technically breaking the regulation. The 2 most well-known photos of Rosa Parks – her mugshot and a photograph through which she’s being fingerprinted – are from this arrest, not her unique December 1, 1955 protest.

#6. Rosa Parks was not the primary lady to face up in opposition to bus segregation

Rosa Parks is probably the most well-known particular person to refuse to surrender her seat, however she wasn’t the primary. Earlier in 1955, a 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to surrender her bus seat when advised to make room for a white lady. She was arrested. Rosa Parks was among the many activists elevating cash for Claudette, however different civil rights leaders determined the “feisty” teenager wasn’t the correct plaintiff for a bigger case in opposition to segregation. In response to Claudette, Rosa was the one grownup to maintain up along with her the summer time after her arrest. Whereas Claudette’s story isn’t as well-known as Rosa’s, she nonetheless made an influence. In 1956, Claudette was one of many plaintiffs in Browder v Gayle, the federal case that led to the desegregation of the Montgomery bus system.

#7. Rosa knew about racism from a really younger age

Rosa Parks, then Rosa McCauley, was born in Pine Degree, Alabama. She grew up along with her mom, brother and grandparents. When racial violence elevated after World Struggle I, Rosa’s grandfather would look ahead to the Ku Klux Klan, armed with a shotgun. Along with studying to stitch, cook dinner and clear, a younger Rosa would “maintain vigil” along with her grandfather on the porch. Rosa’s grandfather taught her to by no means settle for poor therapy. When she was a toddler, a white boy threatened her. In response, Rosa picked up a brick, horrifying the boy away.

#8. Rosa had one brother

Rosa’s brother, Sylvester James McCauley, was two years youthful than her. He served throughout World Struggle II in each the European and Pacific theaters. When the conflict ended, he moved to Detroit together with his spouse, Daisy, the place that they had 13 youngsters. Sylvester labored as a carpenter and worker of the Chrysler Motor Firm. One in all his daughters, Sheila McCauley Keys, wrote a ebook about her aunt known as Our Auntie Rosa: The Household of Rosa Parks Remembers Her Life and Classes, which was printed in 2015.

#9. Rosa Parks’ husband was an activist, too

Raymond Parks proposed to Rosa on their second date they usually married in 1932. On the time, Raymond was working with the Montgomery labor rights and fundraising for the protection of the Scottsboro Boys, 9 Black youngsters falsely accused of rape. The work was so harmful that supporters wanted to fulfill secretly. In response to Raymond, he would talk a gathering’s day and time by standing in entrance of a selected avenue gentle and tying his shoe a sure manner. Rosa known as her husband “the primary actual activist I ever met.”

The Civil Rights Motion is among the most well-known social actions in historical past. Right here’s our checklist of 9 different human rights actions.

#10. Rosa labored in a wide range of jobs

Rosa earned a highschool diploma in 1933, which was pretty uncommon for Black individuals on the time. Nonetheless, it was tough for Rosa to discover a job worthy of her training. She labored as an insurance coverage agent, workplace clerk, nurse’s aide and home employee. She additionally did stitching work from home to earn extra money. Her mom and maternal grandmother, who made quilts, had taught her to stitch. Rosa additionally acquired formal stitching coaching on the Montgomery Industrial College for Ladies earlier than her commencement.

#11. Rosa labored for the NAACP years earlier than her bus protest

Rosa Parks is greatest recognized for refusing to surrender her bus seat, however she’d already been concerned in activism for many years. In 1943, she turned a secretary for the Montgomery NAACP. She would examine circumstances involving police brutality, homicide, rape and racial discrimination. A type of circumstances concerned the kidnapping and rape of a 24-year-old Black lady. When native police refused to prosecute the boys, the Montgomery NAACP despatched Rosa to analyze. She labored to kind the Committee for Equal Justice and arranged a letter-writing marketing campaign to the Alabama governor. Whereas a particular grand jury was ultimately created, the attackers have been by no means indicted. In 1948, Rosa turned the primary NAACP state secretary.

Are you impressed by Rosa Parks’ activism? Right here’s our checklist of programs on taking motion for activists.

#12. After the Montgomery bus boycott, Rosa needed to go away her residence state 

Whereas the Montgomery boycott was profitable and segregation on public transport was declared unconstitutional, Rosa confronted many challenges. She and Raymond each misplaced their jobs and couldn’t discover work once more. They acquired dying threats. Eight months after the boycott, Rosa, Raymond and Rosa’s mom moved to Detroit, Michigan, the place Rosa’s brother lived. Whereas some issues have been higher, racism nonetheless contaminated the North, making it tough for Rosa and Raymond to seek out constant work and housing. Regardless of these challenges, Rosa continued to work for racial equality and freedom.

#13. Rosa labored for John Conyers’ workplace till her retirement in 1988

John Conyers was a younger lawyer in Michigan, and when he started working for a brand new Michigan Congressional seat, a win was thought of unlikely. In favor of his pro-labor beliefs, Rosa Parks volunteered for his marketing campaign. In 1965, Conyers gained his election and promptly employed Rosa to work in his Detroit workplace. This was her first regular job after the bus boycott. She labored for Conyers till her retirement in 1988.

#14. Church and faith have been essential to Rosa

Understanding Rosa’s Christian religion is important to understanding her as an activist. As a toddler, she attended the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Pine Degree. Religion remained essential to her as an grownup. In her ebook, Quiet Energy: The Religion, the Hope and the Coronary heart of a Lady Who Modified a Nation,” Rosa names the church because the one place the place individuals can meet and educate themselves with out unfair therapy. She describes the church as “the inspiration of our neighborhood.”  

Serious about different quotes about civil rights and freedom? Right here’s our checklist of 10 of probably the most memorable.

#15. Rosa Parks died in 2005 at age 92

In 2004, Rosa Parks was identified with progressive dementia, and in 2005, she died of pure causes at age 92. A number of memorials have been held. She additionally lay in honor within the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington. She was the primary lady and second Black particular person to lie within the Capitol. In Detroit and Montgomery, the entrance seats of buses have been reserved with black ribbons. Rosa was interred between Raymond, who had died in 1977, and her mom.