Rosa Parks

Children's Literature

Rosa Parks, the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement," was just an ordinary person who was dismayed by the treatment that she and other African Americans experienced. By her refusal to surrender her seat on a bus in Montgomery to a white man, she set in motion a successful bus boycott that would reverberate across the country. Thorough this and other activities she and her husband Raymond continued to work with the NAACP to fight discrimination. Even after her husband's death, Rosa continued her work for equality. Among the numerous awards that she received was the Roger Joseph Prize award which is give annually to a person who has made a distinctive contribution to humanity by virtue of religious and moral commitment. She used the award money to establish the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, which is dedicated to working with young people to complete their education and to maximize their potential. She has contributed a great deal to mankind during her lifetime and continues to be a role model for young people. Included are text supplements on noteworthy events and people, a timeline on Rosa's life, suggestions for additional readings and where to obtain additional information. This is part of the "African American Biographies" series. 2004, Raintree, Ages 8 to 12.
—Leila Toledo