Yesterday was the 102nd anniversary of the birth of Rosa Louise McCauley, born February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, AL. We know her as famed civil rights activist, ROSA PARKS, whose refusal to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a public bus in Montgomery, AL spurred a citywide boycott, and helped launch nationwide efforts to end the segregation of public facilities.Mrs. Parks was a delightful, quiet-spoken, well groomed lady who insisted that she was not trying to be an activist, she was simply tired after a long day’s work. On a number of occasions, I was blessed to sit with [Mrs. Parks] and hear stories of significant events in her life.
In her memory, Metro DC [WMATA] dedicated a bus which is reminiscent of the one on which she was arrested (The Rosa Parks Metrobus). I have had the privilege to portray Mrs. Parks seated on that bus. For me, it was a surreal event as people boarded and thanked my character for the determination that led to a major change in the transportation industry in Montgomery, AL and around the country.
Speaking about that day in 1955, President Barack Obama said: “In a single moment, with the simplest of gestures, she helped change America and change the world.”
Rosa Parks was a woman whose character led her to take a stand, to sit down, so that we may walk in pride with our heads held high. We thank you, God, for placing Rosa McCauley Parks in our midst.
SOURCES: Academy of Achievement; Organizing for Action, barackobama.com; goodreads.com (For more information on Rosa Parks, check out CBN.com)
(Contributing Writer: Mary Bates-Washington)