Famous Women---R

 

Our Famous R is:

Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

Quick Facts:

Activist in the Civil rights Movement

Congress called her "the first lady
of civil rights" and "the mother of
the freedom movement."

Best known for refusing to give up
her seat in the "colored section" of
the bus she rode to a white
passenger. This was expected when
the "white section" filled or white 
passengers  were standing.
As we remember from our time in
History class this happened during
the time of segregation.

She was arrested for violating the
Alabama Segregation Law for
civil disobedience.

Ms. Parks was tried in a court of
law on charges of disorderly conduct.
After being found guilty and fined
$10 + $ 4 for court costs, she appealed
her conviction and formally challenged
the legality of racial segregation.

And so her many years of work began.

After being away from "the movement,"
she founded the Rosa L. Parks Scholar-
ship Foundation for college bound
high school seniors.

In 1992, she published her auto-
biography Rosa Parks: My Story
geared toward younger readers.
In 1995, she published her memoir:
Quiet Strength--focusing on her faith.

In 1994 a section of highway near St.
Louis was named: Rosa Parks High-
way. The KKK had applied to have
their name associated with this section
at the same time.

Mrs. Parks passed away on October 25,
2005 in Detroit.
On the evening of October 29, 2005,
after lying in repose in her Alabama
church her casket was transported to
Washington D.C. to lie in honor in the
rotunda of the U. S. Capital.

Mrs. Parks left a legacy in the History
books, she gave the country something
to think about.Something we continue
to "discuss" today in 2017.

Among the many awards she received,
Mrs. Parks was awarded:

The Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Congressional Gold Medal.

These awards are given to people
who have made an impact on
American history.


Tomorrow will introduce you to
Famous S.


~Keep on Dreaming~