Rosa Parks is considered by many, one of the bravest women ever to step foot on the Earth. She is by far one of the bravest civil rights activist ever. Not many people have the courage to stand up for what they believe in. Especially when you are taking a stand for African-American rights in the mid 20th century when the power of segregation between blacks and whites is at it’s highest peak. If Rosa Park’s life was summed up in one word, the word would be, dedicated.
The Making of a Leader
Rosa Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, Alabama on February 4, 1913, to Leona and James McCauley. When she was a child, she suffered poor health with chronic tonsillitis. After her parents separated, she moved to Pine Level, Alabama with her mother just outside the state capital of Montgomery. She grew up on a farm with her grandparents, mother, and her younger brother, Sylvester. All of them were members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a century-old independent black denomination founded by free blacks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the early 19th century. Throughout her childhood she learned to respect African Americans in the segregated country.
Rosa Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, Alabama on February 4, 1913, to Leona and James McCauley. When she was a child, she suffered poor health with chronic tonsillitis. After her parents separated, she moved to Pine Level, Alabama with her mother just outside the state capital of Montgomery. She grew up on a farm with her grandparents, mother, and her younger brother, Sylvester. All of them were members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a century-old independent black denomination founded by free blacks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the early 19th century. Throughout her childhood she learned to respect African Americans in the segregated country.
The Start of Something Big
As a young civil rights activist she made an impact on her city, Montgomery, Alabama. Although, the real important part of her civil rights career didn't come until later in her life. On December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks refused to obey James F. Blake’s orders and was arrested. This was a start of something huge during the civil rights movement. Even though previously, five African American woman had been arrested on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama before Rosa Parks. Her record was stellar so they decided to make a case out of it. This how Rosa Parks became famous and an historic mark in history.
As a young civil rights activist she made an impact on her city, Montgomery, Alabama. Although, the real important part of her civil rights career didn't come until later in her life. On December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks refused to obey James F. Blake’s orders and was arrested. This was a start of something huge during the civil rights movement. Even though previously, five African American woman had been arrested on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama before Rosa Parks. Her record was stellar so they decided to make a case out of it. This how Rosa Parks became famous and an historic mark in history.
The Smoke After the Fire
After the remarkable history she made on December 1, 1955 the march for civil rights in Montgomery, Alabama began. The bus boycott lasted barely longer than a year. African Americans were 75% of Montgomery, Alabama population creating economic issues for buses since they rejected to ride them. Through all sun, precipitation, and any other weather these men and woman walked to work or school everyday. Creating tension between African Americans and white men and women in this city. All because of Rosa Parks heroic disobedience to James F. Blake.
After the remarkable history she made on December 1, 1955 the march for civil rights in Montgomery, Alabama began. The bus boycott lasted barely longer than a year. African Americans were 75% of Montgomery, Alabama population creating economic issues for buses since they rejected to ride them. Through all sun, precipitation, and any other weather these men and woman walked to work or school everyday. Creating tension between African Americans and white men and women in this city. All because of Rosa Parks heroic disobedience to James F. Blake.
The Mother of the Broken
Many call her the "mother of civil rights," because of her campaign after the bus incident on December 1, 1955. Even through the death threats her and her husband received, they managed to stay strong and determined to win over their freedom. This is how she won her respect from most blacks in the United States. The African Americans needed a strong leader who had the courage to stand up for their race. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks took the initiative to lead unfairly treated African Americans. This is how she became known as the "mother of civil rights."
Many call her the "mother of civil rights," because of her campaign after the bus incident on December 1, 1955. Even through the death threats her and her husband received, they managed to stay strong and determined to win over their freedom. This is how she won her respect from most blacks in the United States. The African Americans needed a strong leader who had the courage to stand up for their race. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks took the initiative to lead unfairly treated African Americans. This is how she became known as the "mother of civil rights."
The 72nd Hole of a Leader's Life
As her life came to a close the recognition of her work did not end. At age 66, she won NAACP’s 1979 Spingarn Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Congressional Gold Medal. All three prestigious awards won by a female African-American. Her work slowed since segregation came close to an end toward the last two decades of the 20th century. She passed away in October of 2005 and became the first women to lie in state. She was not forgotten by her fellow American citizens.
As her life came to a close the recognition of her work did not end. At age 66, she won NAACP’s 1979 Spingarn Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Congressional Gold Medal. All three prestigious awards won by a female African-American. Her work slowed since segregation came close to an end toward the last two decades of the 20th century. She passed away in October of 2005 and became the first women to lie in state. She was not forgotten by her fellow American citizens.
Her passionate campaigning is still making an impact to this day. Segregation has taken a major decrease since the mid 20th century and still is currently. Although, pockets of segregation are around in some parts of the south. This just is because of modern day society and not because Rosa Parks didn’t make a big enough impact. African-American men and women are now treated exactly the same as white men and woman. This might not be the case if Rosa Parks moved back into white section of the bus in the winter of 1955.