Rosa Parks is an iconic figure in American history, known for her pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. Her brave refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955 sparked a wave of protests and boycotts that ultimately led to the desegregation of public transportation in the United States. But Rosa Parks' legacy extends far beyond this one act of courage, as she was also a lifelong advocate for social justice and women's rights.

Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1913. She grew up in a segregated society, where black people were denied many basic rights and opportunities. Despite this, Rosa Parks was a determined student and attended Alabama State Teachers College, now known as Alabama State University. She left school early to care for her sick mother, but continued her education later in life and became a respected activist and community leader.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Rosa Parks became increasingly involved in the Civil Rights Movement. She was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and served as secretary to the organization's Montgomery chapter. In this role, she worked to fight segregation and discrimination in all areas of society, including education, employment, and voting rights.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks made history when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white passenger. This act of resistance was not the first of its kind, but it was the one that sparked a massive movement. The Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted for over a year, saw black residents of the city refusing to ride the segregated buses in protest of their mistreatment. The boycott was successful, and in 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court declared segregation on public transportation to be unconstitutional.

Following the boycott, Rosa Parks continued to be an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement. She moved to Detroit, Michigan, and worked as a secretary for Congressman John Conyers. She also helped to found the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development, which provided educational opportunities for young people.

Rosa Parks' contributions to the fight for social justice have been widely recognized. She received numerous honors and awards during her lifetime, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and the Spingarn Medal. After her death in 2005, she became the first woman and the second African American to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.

In addition to her work for civil rights, Rosa Parks was also an advocate for women's rights. She once said, "I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free...so other people would also be free." Her legacy continues to inspire people all over the world to fight for justice and equality, and to stand up against injustice and oppression wherever they may find it.