Day of Courage: Rosa Parks
10 artifacts in this set
This expert set is brought to you by:
The staff at The Henry Ford
Rosa Parks Bus
Bus
Inside this bus on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a soft-spoken African-American seamstress, refused to give up her seat to a white man, breaking existing segregation laws. The flawless character and quiet strength she exhibited successfully ignited action in others. For this, many believe Rosa Parks's act was the event that sparked the Civil Rights movement.
"Rosa Parks II" Quilt by Yvonne Wells, 2006
Pictorial quilt
Rosa Parks's December 1, 1955, refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus led to such successful public action that many consider her act to be the spark that ignited the Civil Rights movement. Yvonne Wells, a self-taught artist and retired schoolteacher, created this pictorial quilt without using patterns or templates.
Autographed Baseball from Rosa Parks to Curt Flood, December 18, 1994
Baseball (Ball)
Simple, courageous actions that change society will inspire others. In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a white man. Her action helped transform race relations in America. Fourteen years later, Curt Flood challenged Major League Baseball's "reserve clause," and transformed owner-player relations in team sports. In 1994, Rosa Parks signed this baseball for Flood.
Rosa Parks Visiting Mattox House in Greenfield Village, 1992
Photographic print
Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks visited Greenfield Village with a group of students during a "Freedom Tour" sponsored by the Raymond and Rosa Parks Foundation. She posed here in the Mattox House, the 1930s Georgia home of an African-American family, after she spoke to students. That day, many youngsters who recognized her from school lessons also rushed to greet her.
Button, "You Are the Spark That Started Our Freedom Movement. Thank You Sister Rosa Parks," circa 1988
Button (Information artifact)
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her courageous act of protest was considered the spark that ignited the Civil Rights movement. For decades, Martin Luther King Jr.'s fame overshadowed hers. But by the time of this button, Parks was beginning to receive long-overdue recognition.
Ebony Magazine for May 1965, "50,000 March on Montgomery"
Magazine (Periodical)
Since 1945, Ebony has focused upon issues, personalities, and interests geared to the African-American market. During the civil rights era of the 1950s and 60s, the magazine regularly kept Americans apprised of the movement for equality. This cover features the 1965 March on Montgomery. This nonviolent demonstration helped secure voting rights legislation for all American citizens.
Magazine, "Jet," for July 1960
Magazine (Periodical)
Five years after her courageous action, Rosa Parks had fallen on hard times. Editors of this July 14, 1960 issue of Jet reminded its readers about this heroic woman and informed them about her current plight. During the Civil Rights era, Jet was a popular African-American weekly magazine which covered news about black politicians, entertainers, civil rights figures and average citizens.
"Ballad of Momma Rosa Parks" by Baytown Singers, 1963
Phonograph record
Rosa Parks's December 1, 1955, refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus led to such successful public action that many consider her act to be the spark that ignited the Civil Rights movement. The Baytown Singers, a group of folk-singing southern California college students, immortalized her story in song.
Rosa Parks Commemorative Medal, 1999
Medal
Rosa Parks's December 1, 1955, refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus led to such successful public action that many consider her act to be the spark that ignited the Civil Rights movement. This limited-edition bronze medal replicates the Congressional Gold Medal that was awarded to Rosa Parks in 1999.
Commemorative Bust of Rosa Parks, 1995
Bust (Figure)
Rosa Parks's December 1, 1955, refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus led to such successful public action that many consider her act to be the spark that ignited the Civil Rights movement. Sarah's Attic, Inc., creator of this commemorative bust, has offered products that reflect love, respect, and dignity.