1. Rosa Parks Why Rosa matters:
Rosa Parks is a name that everyone knows, her arrest; an historic moment in the history of America and of the world. Little is said about why she fought – she was tired of the injustice and knew a God who changed people hearts and minds and could change the world. She talked openly of the support and strength her faith in God gave her to stand up for what she believed – that he’d made everyone in his image.
Mini-Bio
The day she was born – 4th February 1913
Rosa was brought up by her grandparents and left school to care for her grandmother and needed her to care for them. Her grandmother and her mother taught her to read the Bible and put her faith in God.
The day she got married – 18th December 1932
She married Raymond Parks who encouraged her to finish school. They both supported the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) in Alabama, where Rosa worked as a youth leader. When she got married she stopped reading the Bible; until her mother found out and encouraged her to keep learning from it. She read it ever since that day.
The day she was arrested – 1st December 1955
Rosa was sat near the back of the bus – the only place where black people were allowed to sit – when the bus filled up and she and others were asked to stand so that white people could sit in their seats. Rosa refused to move. Her arrest led to the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama and other protests throughout the country as black people and their supporters called for equal rights.
Rosa and Raymond moved to Detroit and continued to be active in the civil rights movement. After Raymond died in 1977 Rosa started the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development to help young people across America do their very best.
The day she died – 24th October 2005
Favourite Verses Psalm 27:1-7
1The Lord is my light and my salvation;     whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life;     of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me     to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes,     it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,     my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me,     yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,     that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord     all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord     and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter     in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;     he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up     above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent     sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;     be gracious to me and answer me!
“Since I have always been a strong believer in God, I knew that He was with me, and only He could get me through the next step.” – On her arrest
“We would use Scriptures, testimonies, and hymns to strengthen us against all the hatred and violence going on around us.” – On the injustice suffered by her people
“I so enjoyed reading the Bible with her.” – On her Grandma Rose
“I was never pressed, against my will, to go to church—I always wanted to go. I enjoyed dressing up and meeting people. During the service, I paid close attention to the minister’s words, the prayer, and the other speakers.” – On her childhood experience of church