Black History Month: 12 Facts You Didn’t Know About Rosa Parks

1. Rosa Parks Wasn’t Always First to Refuse a Bus Seat

Before Rosa Parks’ renowned act of defiance, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to surrender her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus on March 2, 1955. Inspired by historical figures like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, Colvin’s courageous stand occurred nine months prior to Parks’ similar protest. However, due to her age and personal circumstances, Colvin did not become the face of the movement. Instead, Parks, a respected NAACP member, emerged as the iconic symbol of resistance. (history.com)

2. She Was a Seasoned Activist Before the Bus Boycott

Before her iconic act of defiance, Rosa Parks was deeply involved in the civil rights movement. She served as the secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where she worked alongside leaders like E.D. Nixon. Parks was also active in investigating and documenting instances of racial violence, contributing to the NAACP’s efforts to challenge systemic injustice. Her longstanding commitment to activism laid the groundwork for the Montgomery Bus Boycott. (Biography.com)

3. Rosa Parks Worked with Martin Luther King Jr.

Rosa Parks’ courageous act of defiance on December 1, 1955, led to her arrest and ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This pivotal event propelled a young Martin Luther King Jr. into the national spotlight as the leader of the boycott. Parks, a seasoned activist and secretary of the Montgomery NAACP, collaborated closely with King and other leaders to organize the 381-day protest, which ultimately resulted in the desegregation of Montgomery’s public buses. (history.com)

4. She Lost Her Job After Her Arrest

Following her arrest on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks faced significant personal and financial hardships. She was dismissed from her position as a tailor’s assistant at the Montgomery Fair department store in January 1956. Her husband, Raymond Parks, also lost his job as a barber at Maxwell Air Force Base. This loss of employment plunged the couple into severe economic instability, with their combined income dropping from approximately $3,700 in 1955 to just $661 by 1959. The financial strain continued for nearly a decade, leading them to relocate to Detroit in 1957. (loc.gov)

5. Parks Faced Years of Hardship After the Boycott

Following the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rosa Parks and her family endured significant economic and personal hardships. Both Rosa and her husband, Raymond, lost their jobs due to their involvement in the boycott. They faced harassment and threats, leading them to relocate to Detroit in 1957 to join Rosa’s brother. Despite these challenges, Parks continued her activism, supporting civil rights causes and eventually working as an administrative aide in the Detroit office of Congressman John Conyers Jr. (kinginstitute.stanford.edu)

6. She Was Part of the Fight for Justice in Detroit

After relocating to Detroit in 1957, Rosa Parks continued her activism by working as an administrative aide to Congressman John Conyers Jr. from 1965 to 1988. In this role, she addressed constituent concerns, including welfare benefits, social security, and job discrimination. Parks also advocated for political prisoners and victims of police abuse, supporting cases like that of Joanne Little, who was acquitted in 1975 after being charged with killing a jailer who sexually assaulted her.

7. Parks Helped Investigate Sexual Assaults

In 1944, Rosa Parks investigated the gang rape of Recy Taylor, a Black woman in Abbeville, Alabama. Taylor was abducted and assaulted by six white men; despite her courageous testimony, no charges were filed. Parks, then an NAACP investigator, documented Taylor’s account and mobilized support through the Alabama Committee for Equal Justice for Mrs. Recy Taylor, highlighting systemic racial violence against Black women (washingtonpost.com).

8. She Was the First Woman to Lie in Honor at the U.S. Capitol

Following her death on October 24, 2005, Rosa Parks was honored with a public viewing in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, becoming the first woman and only the second African American to lie in honor there. This rare tribute, typically reserved for heads of state, was accorded to Parks in recognition of her pivotal role in advancing civil and human rights (history.house.gov).

9. Rosa Parks Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 1996, Rosa Parks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor given by the U.S. executive branch, in recognition of her pivotal role in advancing civil rights and equality. President Bill Clinton presented the medal to Parks in a private Oval Office ceremony on September 15, 1996. This honor acknowledged her courageous act of defiance in 1955, which became a catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the broader civil rights movement (Library of Congress).

10. She Wrote an Autobiography for Children

In 1992, Rosa Parks authored “Rosa Parks: My Story,” a compelling autobiography that offers young readers an intimate look into her life and the civil rights movement. Co-written with Jim Haskins, the book provides personal anecdotes and insights, making it an invaluable resource for understanding her experiences and the broader struggle for equality (publishersweekly.com).

11. She Had a Close-Knit Family and Support System

Rosa Parks’ activism was deeply supported by her family, particularly her husband, Raymond Parks. Married in 1932, Raymond, a self-educated barber, was a steadfast advocate for civil rights and encouraged Rosa’s involvement in the NAACP. Their shared commitment to equality and justice provided Rosa with a strong foundation, enabling her to face the challenges of the civil rights movement with resilience and determination (Rosa Parks Institute).

12. The Bus Where Parks Sat Is Now in a Museum

The bus where Rosa Parks made her historic stand is preserved and displayed at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. This 1948 General Motors bus, known as Bus 2857, was restored to its 1955 appearance and is part of the museum’s “With Liberty and Justice for All” exhibition. Visitors can board the bus to experience the setting of Parks’ courageous act, which ignited the Civil Rights Movement (thehenryford.org).