Heroism in Action: Heroes & Heroines of the 20th Century

Feb. 2, 1913

Overview:

Known as "the mother of the modern-day civil rights movement" Rosa Parks is an international symbol of freedom. Her courage, fortitude and commitment to her cause make Rosa Parks a true heroine of society.

Country: United States of America

Type of hero: Civil and Political Rights

Attributes: Serenity, Bravery, Quiet Strength, Courageous

Biography:

Rosa Louise McCauley was born on February 4, 1913, in Alabama. In a rural schoolhouse she was educated and finally graduated on to Alabama State Teacher’s College for Negroes for the 9th and 10th grade. Unfortunately she was unable to graduate with her class due to illnesses and death in her family. Rosa stayed home and cared for her family.

In 1932 Rosa married Raymond Parks, a self-educated man. Raymond supported Rosa’s desire to complete her high school education and in 1934 Rosa received her diploma. Always having an innate sense of justice, Rosa became the secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) in 1943. That same year she was denied the right to register to vote and was once again denied the following year. Finally, in 1945 she received a certificate for voting. Still very active in her civil rights quest she became the advisor to the NAACP Youth Council in 1949.

Bus Rosa has always been very confident in manner and proud of her heritage. Her grandfather possessed a belligerent attitude towards whites after many years of hostility and mistreatment by his white owners. She believes his sense of pride was passed down to her. This inner strength was shone on December 1, 1955 as Rosa was coming home from work. Tired of all the injustice and ill treatment of blacks she refused to yield her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus. The bus driver possessing the authority to have her arrested called the police and Rosa was taken to jail by two police officers. Four days later she stood trial and found guilty, this began the Montgomery bus boycott. For 381 days no black man, woman or child took the bus, while none other than Reverend Martin Luther King Jr led the boycott. On December 21, 1956 the U.S. Supreme Court declared bus segregation unconstitutional thus ending the yearlong boycott.

Rosa Parks Quote In 1957 Rosa and her husband moved to Detroit where she continued to support civil rights by travelling, speaking and participating in peaceful demonstrations.

Sadly, in 1977 Raymond Parks passed away and ten years later Rosa began the Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development in her husband’s honour. The establishment’s goal is to motivate youth to reach and achieve their highest potential.

Rosa has received numerous awards, accolades and honours for her courage and fortitude, including a statue of her in the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., an honorary doctorate degree in Japan from Soka University, the Rosa Parks Peace Prize in Stockholm, Sweden, and most recently the Congressional medal of honour.

Rosa Parks is truly an American heroine who has made a commitment to making a difference in the world. Her courage, strength, determination, and commitment to her cause make her an inspiration to all those who cherish freedom.

Citations & References:

Links:
http://www.time.com/time/time100/heroes/profile/parks01.html

http://www.grandtimes.com/rosa.html

http://www.greatwomen.org/parks.htm

References
Parks, Rosa and Gregory J. Reed. Quiet Strength. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.

Roka, Gail Meyer. 100 Women Who Shaped World History. San Francisco: Bluewood Books, 1994, p. 96.

"Rosa Parks." National Women's Hall of Fame http://www.greatwomen.org/parks.htm (July 2000)

Albin, Kira "Rosa Parks: The Women Who Changed a Nation." Grand Times. http://www.grandtimes.com/rosa.html (July 2000)

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