Rosa Parks' Milestones

Rosa Parks was an American civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, earning her the title 'mother of the freedom movement.'
1913

Birth

Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, to James and Leona McCauley.

Family February 4, 1913
1915

Moved to Pine Level

Moved with her family to Pine Level, Alabama.

Location January 1, 1915
1919

Attended segregated schools

Attended segregated schools in Pine Level and Montgomery.

Education September 1, 1919 - May 31, 1929
1929

Left high school

Left high school to care for her ill grandmother and mother.

Education June 1, 1929
1932

Married Raymond Parks

Married Raymond Parks, a barber and early NAACP member.

Relationship December 18, 1932
1933

Returned and graduated

Returned to school and earned her high school diploma.

Education June 1, 1933
1943

NAACP involvement

Became secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP, working for civil rights.

Career January 1, 1943
1944

Investigated Recy Taylor case

Helped investigate the Recy Taylor case, a catalyst for the civil rights movement.

Achievement September 3, 1944
1955

Refused bus seat

Refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Achievement December 1, 1955

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Her arrest led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the U.S. civil rights movement.

Achievement December 5, 1955 - December 20, 1956
1956

Lost job and faced threats

Lost her job and faced threats due to her activism.

Other January 1, 1956
1957

Moved to Detroit

Moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she continued to work for civil rights.

Location August 1, 1957
1965

Worked for Congressman John Conyers

Worked as a secretary and receptionist for Congressman John Conyers in Detroit.

Career January 1, 1965 - January 1, 1988
1992

Published autobiography

Published her autobiography 'Rosa Parks: My Story.'

Achievement January 1, 1992
1999

Congressional Gold Medal

Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for her role in the civil rights movement.

Achievement June 15, 1999
2005

Death

Rosa Parks died in Detroit, Michigan, at age 92.

Other October 24, 2005