Rosa Parks (born February 4, 1913, Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S.—died October 24, 2005, Detroit, Michigan) was an American civil rights activist whose refusal to relinquish her seat on a public bus precipitated the 1955–56 Montgomery bus boycott in Alabama, which became the spark that ignited the civil rights movement in the United States. In 1932, at age 19, Rosa met and married Raymond Parks, a barber and an active member of the NAACP as well as the League of Women Voters. The couple never had children, and their marriage lasted Who was Rosa Parks and what did she do? Rosa Parks was born Rosa McCauley on February 4, 1913. She received her early education at a private school, but while caring for both her grandmother and mother, Rosa had to delay completing her high school credits. In 1932, she married Raymond Parks and then received her high school diploma in 1934. Rosa Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, Alabama, on February 4, 1913, to Leona (née Edwards), a teacher, and James McCauley, a carpenter.In addition to African ancestry, one of Parks's great-grandfathers was Scots-Irish, and one of her great-grandmothers was a part–Native American slave. Unfortunately, Parks was forced to withdraw after her grandmother became ill. Growing up in the segregated South, Parks was frequently confronted with racial discrimination and violence. She became active in the Civil Rights Movement at a young age. Parks married a local barber by the name of Raymond Parks when she was 19. Parks—who had lost her job and experienced harassment all year—became known as “the mother of the civil rights movement.” Rosa Parks's Life After the Boycott The driver, who had treated Parks rudely and evicted her from his bus in 1943, contacts the police and she is arrested. Fingerprint card for Rosa Parks; Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images Rosa Parks had a love for music and was known to enjoy singing hymns and spirituals, finding solace and strength in the power of music. Rosa Parks' legacy extends beyond her role in the civil rights movement, as she also worked tirelessly to address issues of poverty and inequality in her community. 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. The bus driver had her arrested. She was tried and convicted of violating a local ordinance. Her act sparked a citywide boycott of the The family moved to Montgomery; Rosa went to school and became a seamstress. She married barber Raymond Parks in 1932, and the couple joined the Montgomery National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). When she inspired the bus boycott, Parks had been the secretary of the local NAACP for twelve years (1943-1956). What Type Of Car Did Raymond Parks Have? Raymond Parks had a 1937 Plymouth sedan. Conclusion. Rosa Parks’ husband’s car played a vital role in their civil rights activism. Their courage and determination inspire us today. Understanding their story helps us appreciate the sacrifices made for equality. Rosa Parks often credited Raymond with influencing her views on equality and activism, reflecting their shared commitment to the civil rights movement and the quest for justice. Net Worth and Earning: Salary. Rosa Parks, renowned as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement," dedicated her life to fighting against racial injustice. The Many Hobbies of Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks was a woman of many interests and talents. She was an avid reader and loved to learn about history, politics, and current events. She was also a skilled seamstress and enjoyed making her own clothes. In addition to these hobbies, Rosa Parks was also an accomplished musician. Rosa Parks chose to be arrested instead of giving up her seat and became a symbol of the fight against an unjust, racist system. She was nicknamed “the first lady of civil rights” by the U.S. Congress. The Early Life And Activism Of Rosa Parks . Rosa Parks was born in 1913 (February 4), in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her maiden name was McCauley. Rosa Parks, an African-American woman, overcame personal and financial hardships as a result of defying Southern U.S. segregation laws by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. She was jailed for her defiance and was soon released. She lost her job as a seamstress when her case garnered publicity, but she rose to become a Civil Rights icon. She did not attend school until she was 11 years old. Because of Jim Crow laws, she had to walk to school and could not take the bus. For her secondary education, Parks went to laboratory school; however, she had to drop out in order to care for her ailing grandmother. Overall, Parks’ life was focused on her family and religion. Rosa Parks (center, in dark coat and hat) rides a bus at the end of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Montgomery, Alabama, Dec. 26, 1956. Don Cravens/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images. Most of us know Rosa Parks as the African American woman who quietly, but firmly, refused to give up her bus seat to a white person Dec. 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama. That small act of Raymond and Rosa Parks were married in Montgomery, Alabama on December 18, 1932. Raymond Parks was a barber by profession, and a civil rights activist in his own rite. He was an active member of the National Committee to Save the Scottsboro Boys, as well as the NAACP. I'm not naive enough to believe that any of them were the only people on the planet who could have done what they did, and did it well, but the flow of history does tend to find the right people for the job. If someone besides Rosa Parks had done what she did, history would be different - how much we can never know, but it would be different. But what happened to Rosa Parks after the boycott and the integration of the buses? Parks and her husband both lost their jobs. Rosa Parks had difficulty working with local activists because she was so well-recognized. Most activist groups were led by men who did not want to work closely with women. She had no choice but to move from Alabama.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |