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. Her courageous refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955, in violation of discriminatory Jim Crow laws, ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This event became a landmark protest against racial segregation and propelled Parks to national prominence as an icon of resistance and a symbol of the struggle for racial equality. Often referred to as the 'mother of the civil rights movement', she dedicated her life to fighting for justice and equality.

Sections (6)

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

1900: Montgomery Segregates Streetcars; Boycotts Begin

In 1900, Montgomery passed a city ordinance segregating streetcar passengers by race, leading to boycotts between 1900 and 1902. These boycotts resulted in an amendment but drivers often failed to follow the ordinance.

1901: Jim Crow Segregation Codified in Alabama

In 1901, Alabama formally codified Jim Crow segregation into law at a state constitutional convention, enforcing racial separation in nearly all aspects of life.

1902: Montgomery Segregates Streetcars; Boycotts Begin

In 1902, Montgomery was still under segregationist policies that started in 1900, there were boycotts during this time.

1940: Black Voter Registration Obstacles

As of 1940, less than 0.1% of Black Montgomerians were registered to vote due to obstacles such as poll taxes, literacy tests, intrusive questions, and employer retaliation.

1943: Parks Confronted by Bus Driver James F. Blake

In 1943, Rosa Parks was confronted by bus driver James F. Blake when she tried to take her seat from the front of the bus, resulting in her exiting the bus without re-boarding.

1944: Viola White Arrested on Bus

In 1944, Viola White was arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus.

1944: Parks Investigates Recy Taylor Case

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

1945: Failed Indictments in Recy Taylor Case

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

1949: Mary Wingfield Arrested on Bus

In 1949, Mary Wingfield was arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus.

1952: Parks Organizes Support for Jeremiah Reeves

In 1952, Rosa Parks organized support for Jeremiah Reeves, who was accused of raping a white woman.

October 1954: Mary Louise Smith Arrested on Bus

In October 1954, teenager Mary Louise Smith was arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus.

March 1955: Claudette Colvin Arrested on Bus

In March 1955, Claudette Colvin, a fifteen-year-old student was also arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus.

April 29, 1955: Aurelia Browder Arrested on Bus

On April 29, 1955, Aurelia Browder was arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus.

August 1955: Parks Attends Montgomery Meeting Concerning Emmett Till

In August 1955, Rosa Parks attended a Montgomery meeting concerning the lynching of Emmett Till, heartened by the attention the case managed to get.

October 21, 1955: Susie McDonald Arrested on Bus

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

December 1, 1955: Parks Boards Bus, Leading to Arrest

On December 1, 1955, at around 5:30 p.m., Rosa Parks boarded a bus after purchasing items from Lee's Cut-Rate Drug. She sat in the middle section of the bus, unaware that James F. Blake was the driver. This led to her arrest for refusing to give up her seat.

December 5, 1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott Planning and Parks's Trial

On December 5, 1955, the day of Rosa Parks's trial, the Women's Political Council (WPC) initiated a one-day boycott of Montgomery buses. The WPC, led by Jo Ann Robinson, produced 35,000 leaflets announcing the boycott. Attorney Fred Gray agreed to represent Parks, after Nixon conferred with Clifford Durr about the possibility of adopting Parks's arrest as a test case.

December 1955: Prior Arrests Before Parks

Before December 1955, several people were arrested for declining to give up their seats on Montgomery buses. These included Viola White, Mary Wingfield, Mary Louise Smith, Claudette Colvin, Aurelia Browder and Susie McDonald.

1955: Parks Refuses to Give Up Bus Seat

In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to move from her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, defying Jim Crow segregation laws. This act sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement.

1955: Parks Arrested for Bus Incident; Boycott Begins

In 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. The Women's Political Council organized a one-day bus boycott on the day of her trial, which then extended indefinitely. The Montgomery Improvement Association organized its own transportation network. The boycott lasted 381 days until segregation on buses was deemed unconstitutional in Browder v. Gayle.

January 1956: Parks Fired, Boycott Continues

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

February 1956: MIA Relief Fund and Health Issues

In February 1956, King requested a $250-$300 disbursement for Parks from the MIA relief fund due to financial hardship after being terminated from their jobs, which was authorized. Parks developed severe health problems, including chronic insomnia, stomach ulcers, and a heart condition.

1956: Lawsuit Filed After Arrests

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

August 1957: Parks Moves to Detroit

In August 1957, Rosa Parks left Montgomery for Detroit, prompted by economic insecurity, threats to her safety, and divisions within the MIA leadership. The MIA raised $500 for her as a "going-away present".

1957: Execution of Jeremiah Reeves

In 1957, Jeremiah Reeves, who was supported by Rosa Parks, was executed.

1957: Parks Moves to Detroit

In 1957, Rosa Parks relocated to Detroit, Michigan, due to financial hardship and health problems resulting from her participation in the Montgomery bus boycott. She continued her advocacy for civil rights.

1959: Parks Family Loses Apartment

In 1959, Rosa Parks and her family lost their apartment and moved into a meeting hall for the Progressive Civic League (PCL).

1960: Parks Suffers Health Problems and Incurs Debt

In 1960, Rosa Parks's health further deteriorated, necessitating multiple surgeries, and she and her family incurred significant debt due to unpaid medical bills.

1985: Unsuccessful NAACP Detroit Chapter Run

In 1985, Rosa Parks and Joe Madison unsuccessfully ran for president and vice president of the NAACP's Detroit chapter.

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 by Joseph Skipper, who broke in claiming to have deterred an intruder and demanding money. He punched her in the face and eventually took $103 before Parks was able to call for help.

1999: $5 Billion Lawsuit Filed Against Outkast

In 1999, Rosa Parks filed a $5 billion lawsuit against hip-hop duo Outkast and their record company, claiming their 1998 song "Rosa Parks" used her name without permission and harmed her reputation.

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2002: Eviction Notice

In 2002, Rosa Parks received an eviction notice from her apartment for non-payment of rent, due to her age-related decline which made her incapable of managing her own financial affairs.

2004: Second Lawsuit Filed

In 2004, after the initial lawsuit was dismissed, Rosa Parks filed another suit against BMG Rights Management, Arista Records, and LaFace Records related to the song "Rosa Parks" by Outkast.