Rosa Parks Specific Purpose: To commemorate Rosa Parks, her life, and what she has contributed to our society throughout history. Central Idea: Known as the “mother of the civil rights movement,” Rosa Parks is an icon who help progress society to the way it is today. Introduction I. II. III. IV. When you hear the name Rosa Parks, what do you think of? I think of a historic icon who changed the United States forever. Known as the “mother of the civil rights movement,” Rosa Parks is an icon who help progress society to the way it is today. Throughout my schooling, I have taken many history and government classes and the same name comes up time and time again, Rosa Parks. There is a reason she is always mentioned, it’s because she changed the United States, if not the world, forever. Today, I am going to talk about her life before the bus incident, the events surrounding the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the rest of her life after the bus. Transition: First, let’s talk about her and her family’s life before the bus. I. Body Rosa Parks had a difficult life before becoming an icon in the civil rights movement. a. Before Rosa was even born, her family was active in the civil rights movement. 1. Her family was strongly involved in the movement for civil rights because her grandparents were former slaves. 2. Rosa and her family were active members of their local Methodist church. b. Growing up as an African American woman in Alabama was a hard thing to do in the 1940s. 1. Rosa grew up going to segregated schools and this caused her to be faced with racial discrimination from a young age. 2. Being faced with racial prejudices so early, it motivated her to become active in the civil rights movement at a young age. c. Her young adult life was no easier than her childhood. 1. At age 19, she married Raymond Parks and together they advanced their involvement with the NAACP. 2. She was soon elected secretary and also served as a youth pastor for the local Montgomery NAACP chapter. Transition: Next, let’s talk about the Montgomery Bus Boycott. II. The Montgomery Bus Boycott is what made Rosa famous all over the country. a. Rosa was not doing anything wrong throughout the situation. 1. After a long day at work, Rosa sat in the first row of the “colored section” on the bus. 2. There was a rule in place that when the “white section” was full, they would get automatic dibs of the first rows of the colored section. b. Rosa and three others get told to move by the bus driver. 1. When Rosa was being told to move, she told the bus driver no and that he could arrest her if he wanted. 2. She was later arrested and charged a $10 fine and the chain of events was triggered and started to unfold. c. What others may not know, is that this event was actually planned by the NAACP, and she wanted to be the one to say “no” because she was tired of giving in to what others wanted (Norwood). d. “On November 13, 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional; the boycott ended December 20, a day after the Court’s written order arrived in Montgomery” (History). Transition: Next, let’s talk about her life after the Montgomery Bus Boycott. III. Although the bus moment was her most memorable moment, she still contributed to history throughout the rest of her life. a. The detrimental effects of her choice to boycott. 1. Due to her choice to boycott, Rosa lost her job. Her husband chose to quit because his boss banned him from talking about her. 2. They decided to move to Hampton, Virginia because she didn’t agree with the other leaders of the NAACP on how to proceed and she was constantly receiving death threats (“Rosa”). b. After moving to Detroit, her and her husband became actively involved with the civil right movement there. 1. She said that "I don't feel a great deal of difference here ... housing segregation is just as bad, and it seems more noticeable in the larger cities" (“Rosa”). 2. She often focused on the socio-economic issues including welfare, job discrimination, education, and affordable housing. 3. She still often traveled to support the Selma to Montgomery marches, the Freedom Now Party. c. Even in her older years, she continued to dedicate her life to others. 1. After retirement, she worked to get political prisoners released, mainly being cases involving issues of self-defense. 2. Even though Rosa was never very wealthy, she always donated almost everything she had to organizations and charities with the purpose of equal rights. Conclusion I. II. III. Today, I talked about her life before the bus incident, the events surrounding the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the rest of her life after the bus. Known as the “mother of the civil rights movement,” Rosa Parks is an icon who help progress society to the way it is today. So, the next time you are hesitant to stand up for what you believe in, think of Rosa Parks and the bravery she had in order to make the sacrifices she did. Citations History.com Editors. "Rosa Parks." N.p., 09 Nov. 2009. Web. 30 June 2020. Norwood, Arlisha. "Rosa Parks." N.p., 2017. Web. 30 June 2020. "Rosa Parks." N.p., 28 June 2020. Web. 30 June 2020.