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Early life in Alabama -

Rosa Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her early years were shaped by segregation and the influence of her mother, a teacher.

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Segregated upbringing -

Growing up in the South, Parks experienced strict segregation. Her childhood encounters with racism and injustice fueled her determination to fight for civil rights in adulthood.

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Education and challenges -

Parks attended segregated schools, facing significant obstacles to her education. She loved learning and was a dedicated student, but at 16, she had to leave school to care for her dying grandmother and, soon after, her very ill mother.

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Marriage and support -

In 1932, at the age of 19, she married Raymond Parks, a barber and NAACP member. His activism and support inspired her own commitment to civil rights and her fight against racial discrimination. He encouraged her to return to high school to earn her diploma. They then moved to Montgomery, where she worked as a seamstress. 

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NAACP involvement -

Parks joined the Montgomery NAACP chapter in 1943, where she became an active member, working as a secretary and advocating for victims of racial injustice.

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Role as an investigator -

Parks would investigate cases of police brutality, murder, and racial discrimination. One such case involved the kidnapping and assault of a 24-year-old Black woman. When local authorities refused to prosecute, the Montgomery NAACP sent her to gather information.

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The bus incident -

On December 1, 1955, Parks famously refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking a historic movement in the fight for civil rights.

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Arrest and public outcry -

Parks' arrest for violating Montgomery's segregation laws led to widespread outrage among the Black community.

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The Montgomery Bus Boycott -

The Montgomery Bus Boycott began on December 5, 1955, as Black residents of Montgomery refused to use public buses, protesting segregation laws. The boycott lasted over a year, bringing national attention to racial injustice.

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The rise of Martin Luther King Jr. -

The bus boycott, which was led by a young Martin Luther King Jr., propelled him into prominence as a civil rights leader and a symbol of nonviolent resistance.

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Legal victory -

The boycott ultimately succeeded when, in 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional. This victory was a major triumph in the fight for civil rights in America.

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A new era in civil rights -

Parks' brave action inspired countless others and helped launch the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring activism and achieving major victories against segregation and discrimination.

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Life after Montgomery -

Facing harassment and threats after the boycott, Parks and her husband moved to Detroit in 1957, where she continued her civil rights work, advocating for desegregation and economic justice.

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Continued activism in Detroit -

In Detroit, Parks continued her advocacy, working with local civil rights organizations and supporting youth programs, community empowerment, and voter registration for Black Americans.

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Work with Congressman John Conyers -

From 1965 to 1988, Parks served as secretary and receptionist to Congressman John Conyers, a prominent civil rights leader, where she assisted constituents and supported his fight for civil rights legislation.

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Black power movement -

Parks took part in the Black power movement, attending the Philadelphia Black Power Conference, and the Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana. She also supported the Black Panthers.

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Freedom Riders -

Parks also supported the Freedom Riders, activists who challenged segregation on interstate buses. These people risked arrest and violence to enforce the Supreme Court's ruling against segregation in public transportation.

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Economic justice -

Parks believed racial justice and economic equality were interconnected. She supported efforts to address housing discrimination, poverty, and economic exploitation.

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The Rosa L. Parks Scholarship Foundation -

The Rosa L. Parks Scholarship Foundation, established in 1980, awards U$2,000 scholarships to Michigan high school seniors demonstrating community service, academic excellence, and financial need. In total, more than 900 awardees have received over $1.8 million in scholarship money.

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Recognition and awards -

Throughout her life, Parks received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1996) and the Congressional Gold Medal (1999), recognizing her contributions to civil rights.

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An American icon -

By the '90s, Parks was recognized as a national icon, celebrated in books, documentaries, and school curricula, cementing her place as one of the most influential figures in American history.

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A peaceful passing -

Rosa Parks passed away from natural causes on October 24, 2005, at 92, in Detroit. She outlived her husband and only sibling and had no children.

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Titles honoring her role in history -

Congress has honored Park as "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement." 

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A legacy of courage -

Parks' life continues to be celebrated as a model of courage, resilience, and moral conviction, inspiring generations to stand up against injustice.

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Rosa Parks Day -

December 1 is recognized as Rosa Parks Day, commemorating her act of defiance on that day in 1955 and celebrating her impact on civil rights.

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Rosa Parks Museum -

In Montgomery, the Rosa Parks Museum serves as a tribute to her legacy, offering educational programs and exhibits about the history of civil rights.

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The Rosa Parks bus -

The Montgomery bus where Rosa Parks defied segregation was salvaged from a storage shed and restored in 2001. It's now displayed at The Henry Ford Museum in Michigan.

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Rosa Parks statue -

In 2013, a statue of Parks was placed in the US Capitol, the first dedicated to an African American woman, honoring her pivotal role in American history.

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Influence on modern activism -

Parks' activism laid the groundwork for contemporary movements, with activists today drawing inspiration from her principles of nonviolent resistance and advocacy.

Sources: (CNN) (National Women's History Museum) (History) 

See also: Rosa Parks and other inspirational women who changed history 

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