An Act of Protest Rosa Parks in Her Own Words - Civil Rights Slideshow

An Act of Protest Rosa Parks in Her Own Words

How the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement remembered her refusal to give up her bus seat 60 years ago

Rosa Parks

Since that infamous bus ride on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks’ story has been told many times, but rarely in her own words. Here are quotes from Parks throughout the years that speak to the event.

A Way of Life

“I did not get on the bus to get arrested. I got on the bus to go home.”

A Seamstress by Trade

“At the time I was arrested, I had no idea it would turn into this. It was just a day like any other day. The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people joined in.”

No More Tired Than Usual

“We didn't have any civil rights. It was just a matter of survival, of existing from one day to the next. I remember going to sleep as a girl, hearing the Klan ride at night and hearing a lynching and being afraid the house would burn down.” (Rosa Parks, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Ralph Abernathy)

I Had No Idea

“Since I have always been a strong believer in God, I knew that he was with me, and only he could get me through that next step.” (Rosa Parks speaks at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., 1969)

It Was Just Time

“Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet and, hopefully, we shall overcome.” (Actress Cicely Tyson presenting Rosa Parks with the Eleanor Roosevelt Woman of Courage Award, 1984)

A Matter of Survival

— Save on shopping, dining, health, travel and more

AARP Offer Remember the past help shape the future

Since that infamous bus ride on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks’ story has been told many times, but rarely in her own words. Here are quotes from Parks throughout the years that speak to the event.

That Next Step

Since that infamous bus ride on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks’ story has been told many times, but rarely in her own words. Here are quotes from Parks throughout the years that speak to the event.

Looking Forward to a Better Day

Since that infamous bus ride on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks’ story has been told many times, but rarely in her own words. Here are quotes from Parks throughout the years that speak to the event.

It s Up to Us

Since that infamous bus ride on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks’ story has been told many times, but rarely in her own words. Here are quotes from Parks throughout the years that speak to the event.

Justice and Prosperity for All

Since that infamous bus ride on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks’ story has been told many times, but rarely in her own words. Here are quotes from Parks throughout the years that speak to the event.

View More Slideshows

Since that infamous bus ride on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks’ story has been told many times, but rarely in her own words. Here are quotes from Parks throughout the years that speak to the event.
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.