Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement

Rosa Parks, also called the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” was given the NAACP's Spingarn Medal and the Martin Luther King, Jr. nonviolent-peace prize. Rosa Parks was also awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Woman of Courage award in 1984. Rosa’s influence and impact on the society is one that can never be replaced. Rosa was not only the person who took that seat, but she has plenty of respect because of her personality as a strong willed woman. Where did all this began?

Rosa Louis McCauley was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, on February 4 , 1913. When Rosa was just a two years old, her father moved out, leaving her Mother and little brother, Sylvester to take of themselves. The small, split family then moved in with Rosa Grandparents, who had become ill. Rosa took care of the house cleaning, cooking, sewing, and the shopping, while her mom watched over her grandparents. This is just one example of the many obstacles Rosa faced as a young child. Rosa’s family also lived in fear of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), they formed when Rosa was a small child. The KKK was burning down houses, and indiscriminately killing African American people.

Rosa’s family and life experiences were not much different from other African-American families at that time. Rosa did not attend school until she was eleven years old. Her mother worked as a hairdresser and a seamstress to earn enough money to send Rosa to school. Rosa moved away to live with her aunt and attend Montgomery Industrial School for girls. Rosa cleaned the classroom after school to earn some tuition due to the need of funds that her mother could not afford. Her mother became ill before she finished high school and begged her to come back home. Rosa did not graduate high school until after...

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...osa had many influential people in her life, but also influenced several people as well. After Rosa’s bus incident people were making a stand all over the nation. On March 2, 1955, Claudette Colvin a fifteen year old from Booker T. Washington high school, boarded the Highland Gardens bus, inspired by Rosa he refused to give up his seat to a white male. That is just one example of the many people she influenced. David Birmingham a well-intentioned white male who hired four African-American police officers. Many people looked up to Rosa Parks for being a strong, dignified, African-American

Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005 in her sleep of old age. Her name, influences, and achievements will always be remembered. Rosa had made a huge impact on society, then and still does today. Rosa’s life experiences have changed the way people view segregation, and ethnicity.