Rosa Parks, born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama, was an African American civil rights activist known as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." Her courageous act of defiance against racial segregation on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955 sparked a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights in the United States.

Parks grew up in a racially segregated and discriminatory society, experiencing firsthand the injustices and inequalities faced by African Americans in the Jim Crow South. Her upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of justice and a determination to fight against racial discrimination.

On December 1, 1955, Parks made history when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated city bus, as was required by the racial segregation laws of the time. Her act of resistance led to her arrest and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a 381-day protest organized by civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The boycott ultimately led to a Supreme Court decision declaring segregation on public buses unconstitutional.

Parks' courageous stand against segregation catapulted her into the national spotlight and made her a symbol of resistance and courage in the fight for civil rights. Despite facing backlash and threats to her safety, Parks remained steadfast in her commitment to justice and equality, becoming a prominent figure in the civil rights movement.

Following the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Parks continued her activism and advocacy for civil rights, working with various civil rights organizations to promote equality, desegregation, and voting rights for African Americans. She also played a key role in the Selma to Montgomery marches and the broader struggle for racial justice in the United States.

Throughout her life, Parks remained a dedicated advocate for social justice, speaking out against racism, poverty, and injustice. She received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the civil rights movement, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Rosa Parks' legacy as a trailblazing civil rights activist, unyielding champion of justice, and symbol of resistance continues to inspire generations of individuals around the world. Her bravery, determination, and unwavering commitment to equality and freedom have left an indelible mark on the history of the civil rights movement and serve as a timeless reminder of the power of ordinary individuals to effect extraordinary change.