I have never been what you would call just an integrationist. I know I've been called that... Integrating that bus wouldn't mean more equality. Even when there was segregation, there was plenty of integration in the South, but it was for the benefit and convenience of the white person, not us. - Rosa Parks
I talked and talked of everything I know about the white man's inhuman treatment of the Negro. - Rosa Parks
I was born 50 years after slavery, in 1913. I was allowed to read. My mother, who was a teacher, taught me when I was a very young child. The first school I attended was a small building that went from first to sixth grade. There was one teacher for all of the students. There could be anywhere from 50 to 60 students of all different ages. - Rosa Parks
I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free ... so other people would be also free. - Rosa Parks
In it not easy to remain rational and normal mentally in such a setting where, even in our airport in Montgomery, there is a white waiting room... There are restroom facilities for white ladies and colored women, white men and colored men. We stand outside after being served at the same ticket counter instead of sitting on the inside. - Rosa Parks
It was not pre-arranged. It just happened that the driver made a demand and I just didn't feel like obeying his demand. I was quite tired after spending a full day working. - Rosa Parks
Life is to be lived to its fullest so that death is just another chapter. Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others. - Rosa Parks
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. - Rosa Parks
The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute accepts people of any race. We don't discriminate against anyone. We teach people to reach their highest potential. I set examples by the way I lead my life. - Rosa Parks
There is just so much hurt, disappointment, and oppression one can take... The line between reason and madness grows thinner. - Rosa Parks
There were times when it would have been easy to fall apart or to go in the opposite direction, but somehow I felt that if I took one more step, someone would come along to join me. - Rosa Parks
Whatever my individual desires were to be free, I was not alone. There were many others who felt the same way. - Rosa Parks
Whites would accuse you of causing trouble when all you were doing was acting like a normal human being instead of cringing. - Rosa Parks
A woman could work day and night caring for her family, and the only time she's likely to hear a comment is if she stops doing it!
Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway.
And I understand the feelings a Sales Director has when she has spent weeks of love and care training a new unit member only to have that person quit before she even starts.
Be a dreamer. Have a sense of greatness. It has been said that if you can dream it, you can do it. And I believe that.
Before you ever receive the wonderful treasures of a happy life, you must first give. Give of yourself.
Connect with
Login with Facebook