Rosa Parks is remembered for her activism and fight to desegregate America. On her birthday, discover her inspiring quotes on freedom and overcoming fear.

Known as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/rosa-parks#section_3" target="_blank">Rosa Parks</a>&nbsp;was an African-American activist recognized for her pivotal role in the fight for ending racial segregation in the 1950s. She made history when refusing to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/rosa-parkss-little-protest-led-to-big-change/2013/02/01/a2cc0746-5e5b-11e2-a389-ee565c81c565_story.html" target="_blank">give up her seat</a> to a white man while riding the public bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Although Parks was arrested for this due to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Jim-Crow-law" target="_blank">Jim Crow</a>&nbsp;laws that legalized racial segregation, her efforts were not in vain, as they ignited the spark of the <a href="https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/montgomery-bus-boycott">Montgomery Bus Boycott</a><a href="https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/montgomery-bus-boycott" target="_blank"> </a>which rapidly became a nationwide fight for <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/postwarera/civil-rights-movement/a/introduction-to-the-civil-rights-movement" target="_blank">Civil Rights</a> in the country. In 1956, a federal lawsuit against the city of Montgomery of Alabama concluded with the ruling that bus segregation&nbsp;is unconstitutional&nbsp;under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Parks&#39; legacy was solidified in history as she was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Metal. She also became the first woman to lie in honor within the U.S. Capitol Rotunda when she passed in 2005. Today, her activism for equal rights continues to ring throughout the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/black-lives-matter-movement-nominated-2021-nobel-peace-prize" target="_blank">Black Lives Matter Movement</a>.

In honor of her birthday, L&rsquo;OFFICIEL presents 10 inspirational quotes from Parks on the importance of advocacy and bravery.

“Each person must live their life as a model for others.”

“I’d see the bus pass every day. But to me, that was a way of life; we had no choice but to accept what was the custom. The bus was among the first ways I realized there was a Black world and a white world.”

“People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.”

“Life is to be lived to its fullest so that death is just another chapter. Memories of our lives, our works, and our deeds will continue in others.”

“Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.”

“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.”

“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.”

"I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free, so other people would also be free." 

“I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.”

Celebrating American Civil Rights Activist Rosa Parks with 10 of Her Best Quotes

L'OFFICIEL USA November 2024 - Salma Hayek Pinault Cover

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES USA October 2024 - Rupert Friend Cover

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES USA October 2024 - Joseph Quinn Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA September 2024 - Fall Fashion Cover Featuring Supermodel Sasha Pivovarova

Celebrating American Civil Rights Activist Rosa Parks with 10 of Her Best Quotes

Tags

Related Articles

Fashion

30 Black Designers Who Shaped Fashion History

Pop culture

Prima Ballerina Maria Tallchief's Most Inspirational Quotes

Pop culture

Mattel is Making a Barbie for Maya Angelou

Recommended posts for you

Beauty

Rhode's Cinnamon Roll Lip Tint Is Finally Here

Fashion

These Timeless Luxury Accessories Were Made to Cherish for a Lifetime

Beauty

The Evolution of Rocker Hair

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Re-Opens in NYC With Five-Floor Extravaganza

Music

Tate McRae Announces 2025 Tour, Drops New Single

Fashion

Dior's Lady Art Project Returns With Stunning Artist-Made Bags

Pop culture

20 Rare Photos of Young King Charles III: A Look at His Earlier Life

Fashion

Skims Teams Up With Dolce & Gabbana for a Luxurious Collaboration