Here are 30 Words of Wisdom Quotes from Rosa Parks. These quotes reflect Rosa Parks’ dedication to justice, equality, and the fight for civil rights, as well as her personal reflections on her role in history:
- “I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free… so other people would be also free.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “Each person must live their life as a model for others.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.” – Attributed to Parks, commonly referenced in collections of her quotes
- “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “I knew someone had to take the first step and I made up my mind not to move.” – Interview, Eyes on the Prize documentary (1987)
- “I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving up.” – Interview, Eyes on the Prize documentary (1987)
- “I believe there is only one race – the human race.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “I want to be treated like a human being.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.” – PBS: Freedom Riders (2011)
- “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.” – Attributed to Parks, frequently cited in speeches and writings
- “As long as people use tactics to oppress or restrict other people from being free, there is work to be done.” – Interview, Academy of Achievement (1995)
- “I see the energy of young people as a real force for positive change.” – Attributed to Parks, often referenced in discussions on youth activism
- “I am not afraid to say what I believe.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “The only way to deal with fear is to face it head-on.” – Attributed to Parks, often cited in motivational contexts
- “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… No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “God has always given me the strength to say what is right.” – Academy of Achievement (1995)
- “There is just so much hurt, disappointment, and oppression one can take… The line between reason and madness grows thinner.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.” – Attributed to Parks, commonly referenced in collections of her quotes
- “I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up, and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.” – Academy of Achievement (1995)
- “I had given up my seat before, but this day, I was especially tired.” – Rosa Parks: My Story (1992)
- “I didn’t want to be mistreated, I didn’t want to be deprived of a seat that I had paid for. It was just time… there was an opportunity for me to take a stand to express the way I felt about being treated in that manner.” – Academy of Achievement (1995)
- “The more we gave in, the more we complied with that kind of treatment, the more oppressive it became.” – Academy of Achievement (1995)
- “When people made up their minds that they wanted to be free and took action, then there was a change.” – PBS: Freedom Riders (2011)
- “I would like to be remembered as a person who stood up to injustice, who tried to speak the truth.” – PBS: Freedom Riders (2011)
- “I had no idea that it would turn into this. It was just a day like any other day. The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people joined in.” – Interview, Eyes on the Prize documentary (1987)
- “You must not give up, you must continue to take care of the children and educate them.” – Academy of Achievement (1995)
- “Without vision, the people will perish, and without courage and inspiration, dreams will die – the dream of freedom and peace.” – Attributed to Parks, often cited in discussions on leadership
- “I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.” – PBS: Freedom Riders (2011)