Claudette Colvin And Rosa Parks
We’ve all heard the same stories about Rosa Parks. The well-known heroine who stood up against white supremacy by refusing to take a seat, she was arrested, and then fined for her alleged crimes. However, not many are familiar with Claudette Colvin who had done the same thing 9 months prior.
Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Claudette Colvin was only 15 years old at the time when she made her stand. Before this, Colvin was considered a good student, receiving straight A's and nursing an aspiration to become president someday. Unfortunately her dreams were impacted by the events that took place March 2nd, 1955.
She was riding home after school when a white passenger attempted to take her place. Colvin was quoted saying “It's my constitutional
right to sit here as much as that lady. I paid my fare, it's my constitutional right.” Colvin was arrested thereafter on several charges, including violating the segregation laws put in place by the city. Her minister paid her bail and she went and hid at home with her family, fearing the consequences.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People considered using Colvin’s case to help challenge segregation laws, but due to both her age- and the fact that she had recently become pregnant- they decided she wouldn’t be a fit candidate to be the face of their cause. Along with this, Colvin developed a reputation. She was deemed a troublemaker, she was forced to drop out of college, and it was nearly impossible for her to get a job.
Colvin became a plaintiff for the case Browder v. Gale, a case that stood against the segregation in the city of Montgomery, calling it unconstitutional. After the case she moved to New York, had her second son, Randy, and worked as a nurse’s aid.
Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Claudette Colvin was only 15 years old at the time when she made her stand. Before this, Colvin was considered a good student, receiving straight A's and nursing an aspiration to become president someday. Unfortunately her dreams were impacted by the events that took place March 2nd, 1955.
She was riding home after school when a white passenger attempted to take her place. Colvin was quoted saying “It's my constitutional
right to sit here as much as that lady. I paid my fare, it's my constitutional right.” Colvin was arrested thereafter on several charges, including violating the segregation laws put in place by the city. Her minister paid her bail and she went and hid at home with her family, fearing the consequences.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People considered using Colvin’s case to help challenge segregation laws, but due to both her age- and the fact that she had recently become pregnant- they decided she wouldn’t be a fit candidate to be the face of their cause. Along with this, Colvin developed a reputation. She was deemed a troublemaker, she was forced to drop out of college, and it was nearly impossible for her to get a job.
Colvin became a plaintiff for the case Browder v. Gale, a case that stood against the segregation in the city of Montgomery, calling it unconstitutional. After the case she moved to New York, had her second son, Randy, and worked as a nurse’s aid.