ROSA LOUISE PARKS BIOGRAPHY

Rosa Louise Parks was nationally recognized as the “mother of the modern day civil rights movement” in America. Her refusal to surrender her seat to a white male passenger on a MontgomeryAlabama busDecember 11955triggered a wave of protest December 51955 that reverberated throughout the United States. Her quiet courageous act changed Americaits view of black people and redirected the course of history.

Mrs. Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauleyFebruary 41913 in TuskegeeAlabama. She was the first child of James and Leona Edwards McCauley. Her brotherSylvester McCauleynow deceasedwas born August 201915. Laterthe family moved to Pine LevelAlabama where Rosa was reared and educated in the rural school. When she completed her education in Pine Level at age elevenher motherLeonaenrolled her in Montgomery Industrial School for Girls (Miss White’s School for Girls)a private institution. After finishing Miss White’s Schoolshe went on to Alabama State Teacher’s College High School. Shehoweverwas unable to graduate with her classbecause of the illness of her grandmother Rose Edwards and later her death.

As Rosa Parks prepared to return to Alabama State Teacher’s Collegeher mother also became illthereforeshe continued to take care of their home and care for her mother while her brotherSylvesterworked outside of the home. She received her high school diploma in 1934after her marriage to Raymond ParksDecember 181932. Raymondnow deceased was born in WedoweeAlabamaRandolph CountyFebruary 121903received little formal education due to racial segregation. He was a self-educated person with the assistance of his motherGeri Parks. His immaculate dress and his thorough knowledge of domestic affairs and current events made most think he was college educated. He supported and encouraged Rosa’s desire to complete her formal education.

Mr. Parks was an early activist in the effort to free the “Scottsboro Boys,” a celebrated case in the 1930′s. TogetherRaymond and Rosa worked in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP’s) programs. He was an active member and she served as secretary and later youth leader of the local branch. At the time of her arrestshe was preparing for a major youth conference.

After the arrest of Rosa Parksblack people of Montgomery and sympathizers of other races organized and promoted a boycott of the city bus line that lasted 381 days. Dr. Martin Luther KingJr. was appointed the spokesperson for the Bus Boycott and taught nonviolence to all participants. Contingent with the protest in Montgomeryothers took shape throughout the south and the country. They took form as sit-inseat-insswim-insand similar causes. Thousands of courageous people joined the “protest” to demand equal rights for all people.

Mrs. Parks moved to DetroitMichigan in 1957. In 1964 she became a deaconess in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME).

Congressman John Conyers First Congressional District of Michigan employed Mrs. Parksfrom 1965 to 1988. In February1987she co-founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development with Ms. Elaine Eason Steele in honor of her husbandRaymond (1903-1977). The purpose is to motivate and direct youth not targeted by other programs to achieve their highest potential. Rosa Parks sees the energy of young people as a real force for change. It is among her most treasured themes of human priorities as she speaks to young people of all ages at schoolscollegesand national organizations around the world.

The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development’s “Pathways to Freedom programtraces the underground railroad into the civil rights movement and beyond. Youthages 11 through 17meet and talk with Mrs. Parks and other national leaders as they participate in educational and historical research throughout the world. They journey primarily by bus as “freedom riders” did in the 1960′s,the theme: “Where have we been? Where are we going?”

As a role model for youth she was stimulated by their enthusiasm to learn as much about her life as possible. A modest personshe always encourages them to research the lives of other contributors to world peace. The Institute and The Rosa Parks Legacy are her legacies to people of good will.

Mrs. Parks received more than forty-three honorary doctorate degreesincluding one from SOKA UNIVERSITYTokyo Japanhundreds of plaquescertificatescitationsawards and keys to many cities. Among them are the NAACP’s Spingarn Medalthe UAW’s Social Justice Awardthe Martin Luther KingJr. Non – Violent Peace Prize and the ROSA PARKS PEACE PRIZE in 1994Stockholm Swedento name a few. In September 1996 President William J. Clintonthe forty second President of the United States of America gave Mrs. Parks the MEDAL OF FREEDOMthe highest award given to a civilian citizen.

Published Act no.28 of 1997 designated the first Monday following February 4as Mrs Rosa Parks’ Day in the state of Michiganher home state. She is the first living person to be honored with a holiday.

She was voted by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most Influential people of the 20th century. A Museum and Library is being built in her honorin MontgomeryAL and will open in the fall of the year 2000 (ground breaking April 211998). On September 21998 The Rosa L. Parks Learning Center was dedicated at Botsford Commonsa senior community in Michigan. Through the use of computer technologyyouth will mentor seniors on the use of computers. (Mrs. Parks was a member of the first graduating class on November 241998). On September 261998 Mrs. Parks was the recipient of the first International Freedom Conductor’s Award by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in CincinnatiOhio.

She attended her first “State of the Union Address” in January 1999. Mrs. Parks received a unanimous bipartisan standing ovation when President William Jefferson Clinton acknowledged her. Representative Julia Carson of IndianapolisIndiana introduced H. R. Bill 573 on February 41999which would award Mrs. Rosa Parks the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor if it passed the House of Representatives and the Senate by a majority. The bill was passed unanimously in the Senate on April 19and with one descenting vote in the House of Representatives on April 20. President Clinton signed it into law on May 31999. Mrs. Parks was one of only 250 individuals at the timeincluding the American Red Cross to receive this honor. President George Washington was the first to receive the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. President Nelson Mandela is also listed among the select few of world leaders who have received the medal.

In the winter of 2000 Mrs. Parks met Pope John-Paul II in St. LouisMO and read a statement to him asking for racial healing. She received the NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress in the Television seriesTOUCHED BY AN ANGEL“Black like Monica”. Troy State University at Montgomery opened The Rosa Parks Library and Museum on the site where Mrs. Parks was arrested December 11955. It opened on the 45th Anniversary of her arrest and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

“The Rosa Parks Story” was filmed in MontgomeryAlabama May 2001an aired February 242002 on the CBS television network. Mrs. Parks continues to receive numerous awards including the very first Lifetime Achievement Award ever given by The Institute for Research on Women & GenderStanford University. She received the GandhiKingIkeda award for peace and on October 292003 Mrs. Parks was an International Institute Heritage Hall of fame honoree. On February 42004 Mrs. Parks 91st birthday was celebrated at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. On December 212004 the 49th Anniversary of the Mrs. Parks’ arrest was commemorated with a Civil Rights and Hip-Hop Forum at the Franklin Settlement in DetroitMichigan.

On February 42005 Mrs. Parks’ 92nd birthday was celebrate at Calvary Baptist Church in DetroitMI. Students from the Detroit Public Schools did “Willing to be Arrested,” a reenactment of Mrs. Parks arrest. February 62005 Mrs. Parks received the first annual Cardinal Dearden Peace Award at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in DetroitMI. February 19 – 20composer Hannibal Lokumbe premiered an original symphony “Dear Mrs. Parks.” Mr. Lokumbe did this original work as part of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s ” Classical Roots Series.” The beginning of many events that will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Mrs. Parks’ arrest December 11955.

Mrs. Parks has written four booksRosa Parks: My Story: by Rosa Parks with Jim HaskinsQuiet Strength by Rosa Parks with Gregory J. ReedDear Mrs. Parks: A Dialogue With Today’s Youth by Rosa Parks with Gregory JReedthis book received the NAACP’s Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work(Children’s) in 1996 and her latest bookI AM ROSA PARKS by Rosa Parks with Jim Haskinsfor preschoolers.

A quiet exemplification of couragedignityand determination; Rosa Parks was a symbol to all to remain free. Rosa Parks made her peaceful transition October 242005.