Challenges Faced by Rosa Parks: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Rosa Parks. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Rosa Parks was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. In 1955, her refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, led to her arrest and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This boycott, a major event in the Civil Rights Movement, lasted over a year and ultimately led to the Supreme Court ruling that segregation on buses was unconstitutional. Parks' courageous act and subsequent activism made her an icon and earned her the title of 'mother of the civil rights movement'.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1900: Streetcar Segregation Ordinance Passed

In 1900, Montgomery passed a city ordinance segregating streetcar passengers by race, before state-wide segregation was implemented.

1901: Jim Crow Laws Codified

In 1901, a state constitutional convention formally codified Jim Crow segregation laws in Alabama, enforcing racial separation in most aspects of life.

1902: Boycotts Against Segregated Streetcars

Between 1900 and 1902, Montgomery's Black residents conducted boycotts against segregated streetcars, coinciding with similar protests in other southern cities.

1940: Black Voter Registration Statistics

As of 1940, less than 0.1% of Black Montgomerians were registered to vote, which shows the restrictions and obstacles faced by the African Americans.

1943: Confrontation with Bus Driver James F. Blake

In 1943, Rosa Parks had an encounter with bus driver James F. Blake, who demanded she re-board from the back after paying her fare in the front. She refused and sat in the white section, leading to a confrontation.

1944: Investigated Recy Taylor Case

In 1944, Rosa Parks began investigating the gang rape of Recy Taylor, a Black woman from Abbeville, and organized "The Committee for Equal Justice for Mrs. Recy Taylor" after a grand jury declined to indict the perpetrators.

1944: Arrest of Viola White

In 1944, Viola White, who was an employee at Maxwell Air Force Base, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus.

1945: Second Grand Jury Hearing for Recy Taylor Case

In 1945, despite pressure from civil rights activists, the state failed to secure indictments for the assailants in the Recy Taylor case after a second grand jury hearing.

1949: Arrest of Mary Wingfield

In 1949, Mary Wingfield was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus.

October 1954: Arrest of Mary Louise Smith

In October 1954, teenager Mary Louise Smith was arrested for declining to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus.

March 1955: Arrest of Claudette Colvin

In March 1955, Claudette Colvin, a fifteen-year-old student, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery.

April 29, 1955: Arrest of Aurelia Browder

On April 29, 1955, Aurelia Browder was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus.

August 1955: Attended Montgomery Meeting on Emmett Till Lynching

In August 1955, Rosa Parks attended a Montgomery meeting concerning the lynching of Emmett Till and was heartened by the attention the case received.

October 21, 1955: Arrest of Susie McDonald

On October 21, 1955, Susie McDonald was arrested for not giving up her seat on a Montgomery bus.

December 5, 1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott Trial and Planning

On December 5, 1955, the day of Rosa Parks's trial, the Women's Political Council (WPC) planned a one-day boycott of Montgomery buses. This was after Rosa Parks's arrest, and her subsequent consultation with her family, who approved the decision despite concerns about potential violent retaliation. Attorney Fred Gray agreed to represent Parks in court. The WPC, led by Jo Ann Robinson, produced 35,000 leaflets announcing the boycott.

December 1955: Bus Arrests Before Rosa Parks

Before December 1955, several people like Viola White, Mary Wingfield, Mary Louise Smith, Claudette Colvin, Aurelia Browder and Susie McDonald were arrested for not giving up their seats on buses in Montgomery.

1955: Refusal to Move on Bus

In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, violating segregation laws. This action sparked the Montgomery bus boycott.

1955: Arrest and Bus Boycott

In 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus, leading to a widespread boycott organized by the Women's Political Council. The boycott lasted 381 days until bus segregation was deemed unconstitutional.

January 1956: Job Loss and Boycott Hardships

In January 1956, Rosa Parks was terminated from her job as a seamstress at Montgomery Fair due to her involvement in the Montgomery bus boycott. Her husband, Raymond, was also terminated from his job at Maxwell Air Force Base a week later. Additionally, the Montgomery Police Commissioner initiated a "Get Tough" policy, harassing Black pedestrians and boycott participants. Boycott organizers, including Rosa Parks, received regular death threats.

February 1956: Financial Assistance and Health Problems

In February 1956, Martin Luther King Jr. requested a disbursement of $250-$300 for Rosa Parks from the MIA relief fund due to financial hardship. The funds were authorized. Rosa Parks developed severe health problems, including chronic insomnia, stomach ulcers, and a heart condition. She traveled to Detroit, Michigan, and addressed United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600.

1956: Browder v. Gayle Lawsuit

In 1956, Mary Louise Smith, Claudette Colvin, Aurelia Browder, and Susie McDonald were the plaintiffs in the lawsuit Browder v. Gayle.

August 1957: Move to Detroit

In August 1957, due to economic insecurity, safety concerns, and divisions within the MIA leadership, Rosa Parks left Montgomery and moved to Detroit, where her brother and cousins lived. The MIA, embarrassed by her decision, provided her with a $500 "going-away present".

1957: Jeremiah Reeves Executed

In 1957, Jeremiah Reeves, whom Rosa Parks had supported, was executed.

1957: Relocation to Detroit

In 1957, due to financial hardship and health problems stemming from her involvement in the bus boycott, Rosa Parks relocated to Detroit, Michigan.

1959: Loss of Apartment

In 1959, Rosa Parks and her family lost their apartment and moved into a meeting hall for the Progressive Civic League (PCL), where Rosa managed the treasury at the PCL's credit union and Raymond served as the meeting hall's caretaker.

1960: Health Problems and Financial Debt

In 1960, Rosa Parks's health deteriorated, requiring multiple surgeries. She and her family incurred significant debt due to unpaid medical bills. She received donations from the MIA and PCL, and the Black press began to write about her financial difficulties.

1977: Death of Raymond Parks

In 1977, Rosa Parks's husband, Raymond, died of throat cancer, causing her personal loss.

1979: Death of Rosa Parks's Mother

In 1979, Rosa Parks's mother died, causing her personal loss.

August 30, 1994: Robbery and assault in her home

On August 30, 1994, at the age of 81, Rosa Parks was robbed and assaulted in her home. Joseph Skipper broke into her home, assaulted her and stole $103.

2002: Receiving eviction notice

In 2002, Rosa Parks received an eviction notice from her apartment for non-payment of rent due to age-related decline. Her rent was later paid through collections.

January 4, 2016: Lawsuit Review

On January 4, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reviewed a lawsuit by the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development against Target, regarding the use of Rosa Parks's name and likeness in merchandise. The court ruled that the use was permissible under Michigan law due to its historical context within the Civil Rights Movement.