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The "OnInnovation" website is a really wonderful extension of the Henry Ford Museum.  The Henry Ford Museum is located in Dearborn, MI, very close to Detroit, where Parks resided.  It is known for having restored and exhibited the actual bus in which Parks refused to give up her seat.  This website provides video commentary on the life and impact of Parks provided by museum curators.  The photo is displayed here under the heading "Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Hero." On this site, we see that Parks expresses her desire to possess the same qualities as Septima Clark, a woman who was also in attendance at a seminar Parks attended on civil rights.  This is the first time I have seen a website include this quote by Parks recognizing Septima's influence.

I was really excited to have come across this document. It is a primary source from the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), written shortly after bus segregation was deemed unconstitutional in 1956. The text reads as a list, for those who followed the MIA, on how to continue to act and conduct themselves in light of the recent changes to law. One line stands out, "Demonstrate the calm dignity of our Montgomery people in your actions." It makes me think of Ms. Parks in the image that was taken, and keeping in mind how it had been said before that she was of outstanding character, the quote resonates with me in that I see her as something of a model for everyone else to follow at the time.

This Smithsonian site is a great place to get lots of information about many different subjects-including Rosa Parks arrest for riding in an "unauthorized" area of a bus. The details of the arrest record of Mrs. Parks and the (now historical) copies of her fingerprints together with a detailed diagram of the scene of her "crime" are astonishing to see.

This website gives a comprehensive overview of the event that made Rosa Parks famous; her refusal to continue to follow the established rules that she should sit at the back of the bus. The site not only talks about the event itself but also contains much information about Rosa Parks including a video and biography of this iconic figure.

This is an excerpt from a book titled "The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks". The details are exceptional as she tells the story of segregation and racism in the 50's. She goes on to tell a detailed story of what happened on December 1st, 1955, noting that she had issues with the particular bus driver before and his attempt to humiliate her and other African-Americans.It includes issues on women rights as well, noting that Mrs. Parks intentions were not only in regard to racism, but in regard to being a woman since it was not the norm for a woman to ever give up her seat for a man.

A summarized timeline of the civil rights movement. This website summarizes the steps that lead to desegregation in America. From the "Brown decision" in 1954 to the voting acts right in 1965. Included in this online exhibit is a short summary of Rosa Parks and the role she played toward desegregation. The summary includes the actual news paper article that discusses her arrest and charges that day. This website also includes detailed photos and summaries of other historical events taking place relative to the civil rights movements.

This work describes how one woman sparked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. The act of Rosa Parks caused not only pride among those who were mistreated and segregated in society, but also created inspiration. Her single act of courage moved many others to speak aloud and stand up for their rights as well. Describes the boycott organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where African-Americans used every alternative for travel, proving their worth in society as equals. The Montgomery boycott sparked the attention of one very important man in history, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This website retraces the events of the day as pictured in the photograph. Not only does it go over the event in which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, but it also discusses the bus strike of 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama. Details are also provided of the organization behind the strike, Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), along with a brief explanation of Dr. Martin Luther King's and Ralph Abernathy's involvement. There is also a short summary of the resulting court decision on segregated busing in 1956, along with an example of the sort of pamphlets that were circulated at the time to announce the bus strike back in 1955. This site serves to provide not only a brief, yet well rounded explanation of this photo's history, but gives us an understanding of who was behind the strike as well as what resulted from their effort.

On October 25, 2005, the New York Times released an in-depth article on Rosa Parks - she had passed. This article delved into the history of her iconic image and her story, from seamstress to rebel to civil rights leader. Every story, article, dedication, etc. is different as no one feels exactly the same as the next, nor do they all have to same resources and references. The NY Times' article included a bit of everything, from her birth & childhood to her education, her personal life, and her thoughts on the late Dr. King. This article supported that her heroic action was not meant to be an act of straight defiance, but of a grown individual trying to show that all people are on the same level.

This website provides more context and background to the infamous moment on the Montgomery bus captured in the initial image shown. The lore states that Parks refused to give up the seat because her feet were tired after a long day of working but in reality, she was aware of plans of local activists to challenge the bus laws. Her arrest propelled the civil rights movement forward and resulted in a year long bus boycott. This website presents Rosa Parks angle differently than most others tend to. It's interesting to see her described as a part of the movement as opposed to someone who just happened to be somewhere.

This website presents a brief of overview of Rosa Parks historical arrest. During the civil rights movement Ms. Parks chose to sit in a seat on the bus that was not designated for black people. She chose to practice civil disobedience and assert what she felt was her right to be seated wherever she pleased. This website provides another image related to the initial class image, it is an image of her being booked for the crime that she committed. There is a lot to the story and this website gives information about what happened after that moment on the bus.

This short essay explains why the NAACP decided to use Rosa Parks' case to advance the Civil Rights movement rather than others before her. Parks was not the first to refuse to give up her seat to a white person, but she was a good candidate for the fight. As in everything political, image is everything. Parks had a better image than a poor unwed pregnant teen or a poor high school dropout working as a maid.

Months prior to Parks arrest for civil disobedience, four other women had been arrested for refusing to give up their seat on a bus as well. One of the more well-known women of the group was 15 year old Claudette Colvin who like Parks was involved with the NAACP - Colvin was a mentee of Parks. Originally the boycott and civil action case was to be centered around Colvin until it was discovered that she was pregnant and had trouble keeping composed when upset. Parks arrest was chosen to launch a challenge against segregation laws due to her impeccable character and reputation. Colvin and the three other women, Aurelia Browder, Susie McDonald, and Mary Louise Smith re-emerged when they agreed to file a civil action on February 1, 1956. The outcome of this civil action was a panel of three judges agreed 'that Montgomery segregation codes "deny and deprive plaintiffs and other Negro citizens similarly situated of the equal protection of the laws and due process of law secured by the Fourteenth Amendment."'