Civil Rights Activist: Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks, a Civil Rights Activist who sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, was very influential towards individuals in the struggle for racial equality as a main leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks showed her courage by taking charge of the segregated bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1999, Parks received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. She continued to be a Civil Rights Activist and fought tirelessly for equality. Rosa Parks has many qualities, including her willingness to show people what is right. She stands up against the struggle for racial equality through her actions. “She has all the qualities and traits of a hero”. Rosa was altruistic, caring, and willing to stand up for what was right, even if many people opposed her” (Ching 1). Parks has become

Parks explained that she was not physically tired, she was tired of the injustice. Parks is known as the “mother of the civil rights movement” for her struggle for equality and refusing to give up her seat to a white man in Montgomery, known as the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Rosa was awarded multiple awards including the Martin Luther King Jr. Zicarelli 1 award and the Congressional Gold Medal after showing her bravery for standing up for what she believed in. “God bless you, Mrs. Parks, and God bless America.” (Clinton 1). President Bill Clinton awarded Parks the Congressional Gold Medal Award in 1999. His speech when giving the reward was very strong and hopeful towards Parks and what she achieved. Rosa has achieved and received one of the most prestigious awards for her fight for what is right. Many people during 1955 decided that things had to change and supported Parks at the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Around 40,000 citizens stood next to Rosa for a 381-day fight for equality. "We are concerned not merely to win justice in the buses but rather to behave in a new and different way--to be nonviolent so that we may remove injustice itself, both from society and from ourselves.” (Citizen