Rosa Parks’ unwavering commitment to justice and equality left an indelible mark on history, fueling movements for social justice and inspiring future generations of activists. Her legacy encourages individuals to stand up against injustice, fight for their rights, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. Rosa Parks was a Black civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man ignited the American civil rights movement. Because she played a leading role in the Montgomery bus boycott, she is called the ‘mother of the civil rights movement.’ Throughout her lifetime, Rosa Parks was given a lot of awards and honors in recognition of her unwavering support to the cause of the civil rights movement. As secretary of the NAACP, she was given the Spingarn Medal. Rosa Parks, born Rosa Louise McCauley on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama, is celebrated as a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement. Her most notable act of defiance occurred on December 1, 1955, when she refused to yield her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa Parks, the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement" was one of the most important citizens of the 20th century. Mrs. Parks was a seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama when, in December of 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white passenger. Her later years saw Parks' work recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. The following timeline covers notable events and achievements in Parks' Born in February 1913, Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in 1955 led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her bravery Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist who refused to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Its success launched nationwide efforts to end racial segregation of public facilities. In 1999, Parks received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the highest honor a civilian can receive in the United States. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) also sponsors an annual Rosa Parks Freedom Award. Rosa Parks, also known as ‘the first lady of civil rights’ and ‘the mother of the freedom movement’, was a famous African-American civil rights activist. This biography profiles her childhood, life, career, works, achievements and timeline. 1982: California State University, Fresno, awarded Parks the African-American Achievement Award. The honor, given to deserving students in succeeding years, became the Rosa Parks Awards. [113] [114] 1983: She was inducted into Michigan Women's Hall of Fame for her achievements in civil rights. [115] Rosa Parks was a devout Christian. Quote: "I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people." -- Rosa Parks (See more quotes) # Rosa Parks: The Mother of Civil Rights # Rosa's Story Rosa Parks (1913—2005) helped initiate the civil rights movement in the United States when she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955. Her actions Rosa Parks occupies an iconic status in the civil rights movement after she refused to vacate a seat on a bus in favor of a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1955, Parks rejected a bus driver's order to leave a row of four seats in the "colored" section once the white section had filled up and move to the back of the bus. 2. Awards Received by Rosa Parks. Over her lifetime, Rosa Parks received numerous awards and honors that acknowledged her courage and commitment to social justice. Some of the most notable awards include: NAACP Spingarn Medal (1956) - An award given to African Americans for outstanding achievement. Timeline of Rosa Parks Life 1913: Rosa Louise McCauley is born on February 4th in Tuskegee, Alabama. Rosa Parks was born as Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, a small town in Alabama. She was the first child of James McCauley, a carpenter, and Leona Edwards McCauley, a teacher. Rosa had a younger brother named Sylvester. In 1980, following the deaths of her husband (1977), brother (1977) and mother (1979), Parks, along with The Detroit News, and the Detroit Public school system, founded the Rosa L. Parks Scholarship Foundation. Parks also co-founded, with Elaine Steele, the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development in 1987. The suit, which was settled out of court in 2005, sparked concern among some of her relatives that her name was being exploited by her legal team. As her health declined, Parks became more reclusive. Rosa Parks died in Detroit on October 24, 2005. In 2018, the state of Alabama declared December 1 "Rosa Parks Day" to commemorate her accomplishments. Rosa Parks Facts 1. Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913. Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was born on February 4th, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama. She grew up in a racially segregated and discriminatory society where African Americans faced numerous injustices. 2. She refused to give up her bus seat on December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks after boycott. After the boycott, Rosa Parks became an icon and leading spokesperson of the civil rights movement in the US. Immediately after the boycott, she lost her job in a department store. For many years she worked as a seamstress. In 1965, she was hired by African-American U.S. Representative John Conyers.
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