Rosa Parks was an American civil rights activist best known for her vital role in the Montgomery bus boycott. She is honored as “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement” by the United States Congress. Here are the best Rosa Parks quotes about equality, racism, and change that will inspire you to always fight for what is right.
What made Rosa Parks so famous?
Rosa Parks holds an iconic status in the civil rights movement for her refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 1, 1955.
She was then arrested for her defiance and was later found guilty of disorderly conduct. Her stand against civil disobedience in violating Alabama segregation laws inspired the black community to boycott buses for 381 days, which became known as Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by Martin Luther King Jr.
The Boycott lasted for over a year, following which, the state repealed its law on the segregation of public buses. This judgment was a big win and a turning point in the civil rights movement.
Parks became an enduring symbol of resistance against injustice and racial discrimination in the United States, inspiring people across the nation to stand up for their rights.
In recognition of her remarkable contributions, Parks received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
Although, Parks died on October 24th, 2005, at the age of 92, her legacy lives on. In her honor, Rosa Parks Day is celebrated twice a year on February 4th (her birthday) or December 1st (the day she got arrested).
We’ve compiled a list of the most powerful Rosa Parks quotes that will inspire you to always stand up for justice and equality.
Top 10 Rosa Parks Quotes
- “One person can change the world.” — Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks Quotes - “There is no future without education.” — Rosa Parks
Best Quotes From Rosa Parks - “I believe there is only one race – the human race.” — Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks Famous Quotes - “Each person must live their life as a model for others.” — Rosa Parks
Quotes By Rosa Parks - “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.” — Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks Quotations - “I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving up.” — Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks Quotes And Sayings - “I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free… so other people would be also free.” — Rosa Parks
- “To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.” — Rosa Parks
Inspirational Rosa Parks Quotes - “Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.” — Rosa Parks
Powerful Rosa Parks Quotes - “I have learned over the years that when one ‘s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” — Rosa Parks
Famous Rosa Parks Quotes
Best Rosa Parks Quotes
- “I will always work for human rights for all people.” — Rosa Parks
- “I’m tired of being treated like a second-class citizen.” — Rosa Parks
- “I see the energy of young people as a real force for positive change.” — Rosa Parks
- “We still, today, have a long way to go, and we have to continue our work.” — Rosa Parks
- “Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.” — Rosa Parks
- “Without vision, people perish, and without courage and inspiration dreams die.” — Rosa Parks
- “The bus was among the first ways I realized there was a black world and a white world.” — Rosa Parks
- “We had a saying that we worked “from can to can’t,” which means working from when you can see (sunup) to when you can’t (sundown).” — Rosa Parks
- “To this day I believe we are here on earth to live, grow, and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.” — Rosa Parks
- “To this day I believe we are here on planet earth to live, grow, and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.” — Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks Quotes About Civil Rights
- “People need to free their minds of all racial prejudice.” — Rosa Parks
- “Our mistreatment was just not right, and I was tired of it.” — Rosa Parks
- “From the time I was a child, I tried to protest against disrespectful treatment.” — Rosa Parks
- “I was just trying to let them know how I felt about being treated as a human being.” — Rosa Parks
- “It was just a matter of survivalーlike getting off the roadーso we could exist from day to day.” — 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
- “As far back as I can remember, I knew there was something wrong with our way of life when people could be mistreated because of the color of their skin.” — Rosa Parks
- “I had decided that I would not go anywhere with a piece of paper in my hand asking white folks for any favors. I had made that decision myself, as an individual.” — Rosa Parks
- “That was a difference between black slaves and white indentured servants. Black slaves were usually not allowed to keep their names, but were given new names by their owners.” — Rosa Parks
- “At the time I was arrested I had no idea it would turn into this. It was just a day like any other day. The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people joined in.” — Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks Quotes About Freedom
- “God has always given me the strength to say what is right.” — Rosa Parks
- “I knew someone had to take the first step and I made up my mind not to move.” — Rosa Parks
- “We are not in a struggle of black against white, but wrong and right, right against wrong.” — 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
- “I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.” — Rosa Parks
- “Time begins the healing process of wounds cut deeply by oppression. We soothe ourselves with the salve of attempted indifference.” — Rosa Parks
- “I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.” — Rosa Parks
- “What really matters is not whether we have problems, but whether we go through them. We must keep going on to make it through whatever we are facing.” — Rosa Parks
- “Our freedom is threatened every time one of our young people is killed by another child… every time a person gets stopped and beaten by the police because of the color of their skin.” — Rosa Parks
- “As a child I learned from the Bible to trust in God and not be afraid. And I felt the Lord would give me the strength to endure whatever I had to face. God did away with all my fear.” — Rosa Parks
Famous Quotes From Rosa Parks
- “Arrest me for sitting on a bus? You may do that.” — Rosa Parks
- “There was an opportunity for me to take a stand.” — Rosa Parks
- “All I was doing was trying to get home from work.” — Rosa Parks
- “My only concern was to get home after a hard day’s work.” — Rosa Parks
- “Have you ever been hurt and the place tries to heal a bit, and you just pull the scar off of it over and over again.” — Rosa Parks
- “I had given up my seat before, but this day, I was especially tired. Tired from my work as a seamstress, and tired from the ache in my heart.” — Rosa Parks
- “People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically … No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” — Rosa Parks
- “I will no longer act on the outside in a way that contradicts the truth that I hold deeply inside. I will no longer act as if I were less than the whole person I know myself inwardly to be.” — Rosa Parks
Inspirational Rosa Parks Quotes to Inspire Love
- “No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” — Rosa Parks
- “I did not get on the bus to get arrested I got on the bus to go home.” — Rosa Parks
- “It is better to teach or live equality and love… Than to have hatred and prejudice.” — Rosa Parks
- “The time had just come when I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed, I suppose.” — Rosa Parks
- “Since I have always been a strong believer in God, I knew that He was with me, and only He could get me through that next step.” — Rosa Parks
- “There is just so much hurt, disappointment and oppression one can take. The bubble of life grows larger. The line between reason and madness grows thinner.” — Rosa Parks
- “Differences of race, nationality or religion should not be used to deny any human being citizenship rights or privileges. 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
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Conclusion
If you think you can relate to these inspirational Rosa Parks quotes feel free to spread your feelings and share them with friends and family on Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, and more.
If we have missed some quotes, share them with us in the comment section below and we shall be happy to add them to the list.
