Rosa Parks, often honored as “The First Lady of Civil Rights” and “The Mother of the Freedom Movement,” occupies a central place in the history of American social justice. While four other Black women courageously refused to surrender their bus seats before her, it was Parks’ quiet act of defiance and subsequent arrest on December 1, 1955, that ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott—an event that galvanized the modern Civil Rights Movement. Throughout her life, Parks received numerous accolades recognizing her courage and leadership, including the NAACP’s highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award. In 1996, President Bill Clinton presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, followed by the Congressional Gold Medal the next year. In 1999, TIME magazine named Rosa Parks one of “The 20 Most Influential People of the 20th Century.”
Here are ten memorable quotes by Rosa Parks; the woman, who stood up for something while remaining seated:
“You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.”
“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
“There is just so much hurt, disappointment, and oppression one can take… The line between reason and madness grows thinner.”
“Each person must live their life as a model for others.”
“Differences of race, nationality, or religion should not be used to deny any human being citizenship rights or privileges. Life is to be lived to its fullest so that death is just another chapter. Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds, will continue in others.”
“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free… so other people would be also free.”
“Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.”
“I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.”
“I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.”
“I don’t think well of people who are prejudiced against people because of race. The only way for prejudiced people to change is for them to decide for themselves that all human beings should be treated fairly. We can’t force them to think that way.”
Acknowledgement: The featured image of Rosa Parks, developed in collaboration between Meserette Kentake (concept direction), Perplexity (prompt craft and historical framing), and ChatGPT (visual generation), inspired by the legacy of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
