Rosa Parks Quotes

Rosa Parks: Quotes on Giving, Justice, and the Bus

A Trailblazing Activist's Legacy

In the annals of American history, Rosa Parks stands as a towering figure whose unwavering courage sparked a movement for racial equality.

Throughout her life, Parks' words resonated with an enduring message of resilience, determination, and the indomitable spirit of human dignity. Here are 16 of her most unforgettable quotes:

• "I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people."


• "You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right."


• "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear."


• "I'd see the bus pass every day. But to me, that was a way of life."


• "The only tired I was, was tired of giving in."


• "I did not get on the bus to get to a certain seat. I got on the bus to enjoy the freedom to sit anywhere."


• "People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was forty-two. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in."


• "I think the time is always right to do what is right."


• "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."


• "The bus boycott was not planned. It just happened."


• "The people in Montgomery are tired of being treated like second-class citizens."


• "There is nothing more powerful than a determined and focused mind."


• "We must never forget that we are all part of one human family."


• "We are not makers of history. We are made by history."


• "I believe that change is always possible, and that anyone can make a difference."


• "No matter how old you are, you can always make a difference."

May Rosa Parks' enduring words continue to inspire generations to come, reminding us that the pursuit of justice and equality is an ongoing journey that requires courage, compassion, and unwavering determination.