Facts about Rosa Parks
May 4th, 2006Born into a society where racial discrimination is perceived as righteous, Rosa Parks radically changed the national perception of equality and she became the trigger for the civil rights movement in the United States. Rosa Parks is considered as the indomitable icon of civil rights equality for all African-Americans.
Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her name at birth was Rosa Louise McCauley. She had been described once as a “quiet seamstress” who resides at Montgomery, Alabama. But Rosa Parks cannot be called submissive, or long-suffering. Obviously, Rosa Parks has strong principles and a clear view of what the concept of equality should mean. In 1943, Rosa Parks joined the NAACP or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As secretary of this organization, Rosa Parks does not honor the strict and unreasonable segregation laws in Alabama.
Segregation laws placed invisible but strict demarcation lines between the whites and blacks, like Rosa Parks. Based on these laws, the whites are considered superior. These laws dictate how the blacks should act towards the whites. The blacks, like Rosa Parks, should face a white man with deference. Today, such laws are plainly discriminatory. And such laws, as perceived by Rosa Parks, are against human rights.
On that fateful day of December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was peacefully riding the Montgomery city bus when a white man came on board. In such a situation, the segregation laws dictate that Rosa Parks should give up her seat for the white. But Rosa Parks refused to do such a thing.
As a result, Rosa Parks was arrested. Rosa Parks was given the verdict of guilty for a disorderly conduct and was fined. News of her defiance stirred sympathy and anger. In response to the unfair laws and to the experience that Rosa Parks had to endure, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. led African-Americans to boycott the Montgomery Bus.
This Montgomery Bus Boycott encouraged many civil rights advocates to campaign for desegregation. And the civil rights movement matured in the 1960s. But due to the nationwide sensation that Rosa Parks brought, she lost her job. In 1957, Rosa Parks, together with her husband and mother, transferred to Detroit. And in 1965, Rosa Parks became a member of the staff of U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan, until she retired in 1988.
Since then, Rosa Parks received several awards. In 1991, Rosa Parks was the recipient of the National Freedom Award of the National Civil Rights Museum. In 1997, there was the Public Act No. 28 which announces that the first Monday after February 4 (Rosa Parks birthday) must be observed as the Mrs. Rosa L. Parks Day in Michigan. And in 1999, Rosa Parks was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. This award is considered the highest distinction that any civilian can obtain.
In October 24, 2005, Rosa Parks passed away at the age of 92.
March 20th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
rosa parks was very brave.
April 30th, 2007 at 9:49 am
why was she so sweet?
April 30th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Rosa Parks is considered as the indomitable icon of civil rights equality for all African-Americans.
April 30th, 2007 at 10:35 am
I like to know how rosa was in school and
why did she have to quite school and take
care of her sick mother and Grandmother.
April 30th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
She quite school and took care of her mother and grandmother because she loved her grandma and mother.
May 1st, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I think Rosa is a great person.
May 2nd, 2007 at 10:28 am
How old was she?
May 3rd, 2007 at 11:24 am
Rosa parks is a brave intelegent woman.
May 3rd, 2007 at 2:57 pm
She was brave. But what became of her father??
May 7th, 2007 at 9:41 am
she was sooo inspiring to me and my 5th grade class she was the most bravest person ive ever seen she was awesome the way she stood up to that man
May 8th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
when she was going through a hard time, she always trusted God, and her favorite book was the bible
May 8th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
how old was she when she droped out of school?
May 8th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
what did her husband die of?
May 14th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Rosa parks husband died of cancer.
May 20th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
What was her childhood,adulthood,and what did she do in college.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:30 am
I dont get why she would stand up for something that could get her through in jail for.
May 24th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
How many siblings did Rosa Parks have?
June 4th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Rosa Parks is a very great american. She’s a brave,strong woman. She made a difference. That is why I chose her to be my great american.
June 12th, 2007 at 9:20 am
who was her father???
June 12th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
the braveness and careness deserves the love of every one who understands what she fought for
October 8th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
I would have did the same thing because I am brave.
October 9th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
she is wicked cool
October 14th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
She refused to give up her seat and that is how she made history.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:26 am
we love you rosa!
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:44 pm
why didn’t Rosa Parks have kids..
November 3rd, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Rosa Parks father name was James McClauley and he was a carpenter and her mother name was Leona McClauley and she was a teacher
November 5th, 2007 at 11:56 am
she was an amazing woman and i think discrimnation would still be heavy in some areas if it werent for her to stand up for what she believed and did what she did so props to her for doing that no one should have had to go through what she did for her rights in the world