Rosa Parks

I chose to do Rosa Parks, because that was the first person to pop up in my mind because of the amazing legacy she left behind. She persuaded many African-American people to stand up to how we were treating them in the early and mid 1900's.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa did the unthinkable by telling James Blake, a bus driver, that she would not move to the back of the bus. When James Blake made four African Americans, including Parks, get out of their seats to make room for more whites, Rosa Parks simply replied with, "I don't think I should have to.". James Blake called the police to arrest her.

Rosa Parks (Rosa McCauley) was born on February 4, 1913. She grew up on a farm with her mother, younger brother, and grandparents in Montgomery, Alabama. As a child, she suffered of poor health. When she was eleven, she attented the Industrial School for Girls, and later transferred to a laboratory school provided by the Alabama State Teacher College for Negroes. In 1932, Rosa married Raymond Parks, a barber. After Rosa was married, she attempted taking many jobs, and even succeeded in registering to vote after trying three times. By December 1953, Rosa Parks became an active member of the Civil Rights Movement. She was known as the "Mother of the Civil Right Movement.".


After being arrested for not moving to the back of the bus, she became an icon in Civil Rights, but still suffered for her actions. She remained in prison overnight and paid a fine of fourteen dollars. 


Rosa Parks received many awards for her actions, including the Noble Peace Prize. She still remains a human icon today, including to me.  ROsa Parks lived to be 92 years old; outliving her younger brother.