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In 1944, 11 years before her fateful 
decision on a Montgomery Bus,

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Rosa Parks was investigating 
a vicious crime.

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As an emissary for the National
Association

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for the Advancement of Colored People,

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she had traveled to rural Alabama 
to meet with Recy Taylor,

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a young woman who had been 
sexually assaulted by six white men.

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It would be difficult enough to convince
an Alabama court

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that even one of these men was guilty,

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but Rosa was undeterred.

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She formed a committee to defend 
Recy in court,

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flooding the media with testimony and
sparking protests throughout the South.

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When a jury failed to 
indict the attackers,

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Parks demanded the governor assemble 
a new grand jury.

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She wrote, “I know that you will not fail
to let the people of Alabama know

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that there is equal justice 
for all of our citizens.”

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Throughout her life, Parks repeatedly 
challenged racial violence

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and the prejudiced systems protecting
its perpetrators.

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But this work came at an 
enormous risk – and a personal price.

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Born in 1913, Rosa was raised by her 
mother and grandparents in rural Alabama.

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But outside this loving home, the fear 
of racial violence cast a long shadow.

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The Ku Klux Klan frequently drove 
past their home,

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and Jim Crow laws segregated 
public spaces.

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At 19 she settled in Montgomery
and married Raymond Parks,

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a barber who shared her growing fury 
at racial injustice.

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He was involved with the local chapter
of the NAACP;

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a role many avoided for 
fear of persecution.

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At first Raymond was eager 
to keep Rosa safe

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from the potential dangers of activism.

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But as she grew more incensed at the
limitations imposed on African Americans,

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she could no longer stand by.

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When she officially joined 
the NAACP in 1943,

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Parks and Johnnie Rebecca Carr were 
the only women in the Montgomery chapter.

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She began keeping minutes for their 
meetings,

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and soon found herself elected 
secretary of the chapter –

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formally beginning her secret double life.

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By day, Rosa worked as a seamstress to support
her mother and husband.

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By night, she researched and documented
numerous civil rights cases,

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from local policy disputes to high-profile
murder cases and hate crimes.

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As secretary, she prepared public 
responses

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on behalf of the Montgomery chapter,

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battling the harsh sentencing,

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false accusation and smear campaigns 
frequently used against African Americans.

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In addition to her legal work, Parks 
was a brilliant local strategist.

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As advisor to the NAACP youth group 
council,

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she helped young people navigate 
segregated systems

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including voter registration and 
whites-only libraries.

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Through the cover of the NAACP,

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Parks strived to bring clandestine civil 
rights activities into the open.

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She advocated for civil disobedience
training

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and spoke out against racial violence,
particularly the murder of Emmet Till.

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In 1955, her refusal to move to the 
back of a segregated bus

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helped ignite the grassroots movement 
she had hoped for.

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Parks was arrested and jailed for her 
one-woman protest,

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where she was visited by local activists.

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Together they planned a twenty-four 
hour bus boycott.

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It lasted for three hundred 
and eighty one days.

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Park’s simple act had transformed 
nascent civil rights activism

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into a national movement.

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In 1956, the boycott ended when 
the Supreme Court

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ruled in favor of desegregating 
public transport.

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But this victory for the movement 
had come at a great cost.

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Rosa had been receiving vicious death 
threats throughout the campaign,

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and was unable to find work in Montgomery
because of her political reputation.

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In 1957, she moved to Detroit to continue 
working as a seamstress,

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until being hired by Congressman 
John Conyers

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to help support his burgeoning 
civil rights campaigns.

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Ever vigilant in the fight against racial 
inequality,

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Parks remained active for 
the next 40 years.

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She wrote several books,

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traveled across the country giving talks
to support other activists,

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and established an institute for the 
education of young people

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in her late husband’s memory.

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Today, Rosa Parks is remembered 
as a radical spirit

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who railed against the most powerful 
people and policies.

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Her call to action continues to resound:

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“knowing what must be done
does away with fear.”