Rosa Parks

Rosa Louise Parks

To me, a hero is someone you look up to. A great hero is someone who you want to be like. A great hero should do helpful things to help out other people. That’s why I chose Rosa Parks for my hero. She made something small grow into a large issue. She was even part of the solution.

Rose Louise McCauley was born in February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her father, James McCauley, was a carpenter and her mother, Leona McCauley, was a teacher. She also had a younger brother named Sylvester. When she was 11, she started her education at the Montgomery Industrial School for Girls. By 1932, at 20 years old, Rosa married Raymond Parks. Rosa attended the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) in her spare time. She faced many obstacles being “colored.” For example, the white people would say rude and disrespectful things when she walked by.

Rosa, a seamstress, was on her way home from work on December 1, 1955. Rosa got on a bus, sitting in the middle section because she could not find a seat at the back. All blacks were to sit at the back of the bus, letting the whites have the good seats at the front. A white man got on the bus, demanding a seat. The driver told three blacks to move as well as Rosa. They moved, but she refused to give up her seat. The driver threatened to call the police, and Rosa told him to go ahead. When the police arrived, they asked the bus driver to let her go with a warning or give her a warrant. The driver chose a warrant and they took her to the police station. Rosa decided to fight against what led to her arrest. She was found guilty of disorderly conduct with a fine of $14. This sparked a nationwide focus on civil rights.

Rosa Parks received many awards. In 1999, President Clinton awarded her with a Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. She was known as the “mother of the Civil Rights Movement.” In 2005, at the age of 92, Rosa Parks passed away from natural causes. For two days, her casket was placed in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol, an honor usually reserved for presidents. She was the first woman to have this done at the state capitol.

Rosa Parks is a great hero. She changed black history as well as American history. She also helped with women’s rights. She won many awards for her heroism. She is someone to look up to and be like. By just staying in her seat on the bus, she changed history forever. That’s why Rosa Parks is my hero.