Rosa Parks, born February 4, 1913, is best known for her refusal to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger on December 1, 1955. Parks' fight for equality was measured over a lifetime. 

Parks joined the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP in 1943, serving as the chapter's youth leader as well as secretary to the NAACP president. She held the post for 14 years. Parks also served on the board of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 

In 1987 Parks helped form the "Pathways to Freedom" bus tours, which introduced young people to important Civil Rights and Underground Railroad sites throughout the country.

Parks passed away on October 24, 2005 at the age of 92. At her memorial service in Washington D.C. her casket was viewed by over 50,000 people. She is remembered as the First Lady of Civil Rights. 

Artwork Credit: Florence Lee (florenceleeandco.com)