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Payton Fowler
Ms. Ownbey
Accelerated ELA
4 March 2015
How did Rosa Parks Bold Action Make a Turning Point in History?
Rosa Parks was an African American woman from Montgomery, Alabama who became a
part of the civil rights movement in the 1950s by standing up for what she believed in. This
small act began something big that changed the U.S. forever. Rosa Parks bold action of refusing
to give up her bus seat to a white man caused a turning point in history because she inspired
other civil rights leaders, Jim Crow laws were changed, and her legacy still inspires people today.
Rosa Parks inspired many other civil rights leaders. She was critical in the endeavor to
gain equality for African Americans (Farmer). She attended a workshop where she met and
inspired Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The two great leaders discussed ways to end segregation
(Dreier). Parks also inspired more recent civil rights leaders, such as President Barack Obama
(Pribble). Another influential civil rights leader she inspired was Nelson Mandela, who insisted
on meeting her while he was visiting the U.S. (Dreier). Without the help of Rosa Parks and the
other leaders who followed in her footsteps, segregation may still be present today.
Because of Rosa Parks dedication to make a difference, Jim Crow laws were changed.
She sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which led to eventual banning of segregation
(Pribble). At first the law was slightly altered; blacks were made to board the back of the bus,
while whites could board the front, filling in the seats as they entered (Dreier). Parks continued
to fight to end all bus segregation. Finally, on December 20 1956, bus segregation was
completely banned (Dreier). According to Peter Dreier, Professor of Politics at Occidental
College, Parks defiance of Montgomerys segregation laws was not an isolated incident. It was

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part of a lifelong crusade to dismantle Jim Crow (Dreier). Without Rosa Parks actions, Jim
Crow laws may have not been altered, and less likely banned.
Not only did Parks inspire civil rights leaders of the past, but she still inspires ordinary
people today. People now even refer to her as the mother of the civil rights movement
(Dreier). According to Molly Pribble, author for the Scholastic Kids Press Corps, [Parks] still
influences and inspires people including kids (Pribble). She has even inspired Hollywood.
The major motion movie The Long Walk Home, which was about her impact on the
Montgomery Bus Boycott, is another great example of how she still impresses upon the world
the importance of standing up for what one believes is right (Dreier). Parks strived to inspire
future generations. Dr. Ashley Farmer, Provost Postdoctoral Fellow in the History Department at
Duke University, asserts that Parks, in an effort to tell her story to future generations donated
many of her personal correspondences, letters, and memorabilia (Farmer). Some argue that
Parks is inconsequential today. However, her legacy still endures.
Rosa Parks had a huge impact on the world. Her bold action made a turning point in
history because she inspired other civil rights leaders, Jim Crow laws were changed, and her
legacy still inspires people today. Who knew refusing to give up a bus seat could have such a
powerful effect? Parks story explains it all.

Works Cited
Dreier, Peter. "Rosa Parks - Angry, Not Tired." Oxyscholar (2013): 03 Feb. 2013. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
Farmer, Ashley. "Rosa Parks, Radicalism, and Remembrance." African American Intellectual History
Society (2015): Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
Pribble, Molly. "Remembering Rosa Parks." Scholastic (2013): Scholastic News Online. Web. 18 Feb.
2015.