First of all this IS travel related, as the actions of this courageous lady affected all travelers.

I was very sad to learn of the passing of Rosa Parks. It is very hard for a person of my generation to imagine how awful it must have been for a person of color to get around before any civil rights legislation was enacted. It must have taken extraordinary courage for Mrs. Parks to refuse to give up her seat on that bus. I wonder if she had any idea of the difference she would make by doing that.

Godspeed, Mrs. Parks!!

P_M, my daughter's girl scout troop is traveling to Selma AL in January to go to the Rosa Parks Civil Rights Museum and Library over a long weekend. So that really makes it travel related.

Unfortunately, in some places, it is still hard for some people to "get around" although the colors may have changed slightly.

I think Ms. Parks knew exactly what she was doing and I am grateful that she did.

Perhaps "get around" was a poor choice of words on my part. I realize the difficulties went way beyond using public transportation.

I am also grateful for her actions.

May she forever ride "in front". RIP
I recommend the PBS series "Eyes on the Prize" for an in depth look at Civil Rights in the US (1950-1967).

It's amazing that one person'a actions can change an entire country. Remarkable woman.

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As she described it, her act of civil disobediance (refusing to give up her seat to a white man) was not planned. She had just reached the point where she'd had enough of being treated like a second class citizen.

It just goes to show you how your actions can have unintended and far ranging consequences.

There was a nice piece on the front page of the SF Chronicle this morning about her.

I'd like to urge anyone planning a trip to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the former Lorraine Motel.

They have a bus from 1955 Montomgery as part of a display. When you sit on a bus seat, the bus driver (a manequin) starts yelling at you to "get to the back of the bus" or you'll be arrested. I found it very scary and moving.

Rest in Peace, Mother Parks. You are one of my all-time heroes.

Listening to the Neville Brothers "Thank you Miss Rosa, you were the start, that started our freedom movement, thankyou Miss Rosa Parks......"

And we still have a long way to go. We must follow in her footsteps.

A great woman who should never be forgotten.

She is not a footnote to history, or a history-maker -- she is history.

She made all of us in American passengers on that bus. And probably, by extention, all of the world passengers on that bus.

RIP, Rosa.



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SHe, indeed, is History.

Isn't it amazing what one person can accomplish. Rosa Parks is an insperation to anyone regardless of their ethnic, financial or educational background to strive to make what is wrong, right. May she be with the angels and rest in peace.

Thank you all for responding to this thread. I still remember learning about Rosa Parks as a child. I remember being appalled that a woman could be arrested for not giving up her seat on a bus. In today's world that sounds so ludicrous, but at the time it was accepted. How chilling, I'm glad I'm not old enough to remember those times, especially as I am from the South.

When I learned this as a child I was too young to fully understand the magnitude of her accomplishments, but I did understand that her actions took guts. She is an inspiration to everyone to fight the injustices of this world.

Amen, sister Rosa. We could not have done it without you.

...and I have a problem with confronting a waiter who short changes me.

Vaya con Dios, Senora Rosa!

She is a true American hero.

Her act of civil disobedinence was a turning point for the country.

An extraordinary woman. American owes a debt of gratitude to her. God bless her.