Rosa Louise McCauley Parks is recognized as a prominent American civil rights activist and often hailed as the ‘mother of the freedom movement.’
Among the various aspects of her life, the online community is particularly curious about Rosa Parks’s parents.
In this article, we will delve into the details of her family background and explore additional information about this iconic figure.
Quick Bio
Full Name | Rosa Parks |
Gender | Female |
Date of Birth | February 4, 1913 |
Place of Birth | Tuskegee, Alabama, United States |
Date of Death | October 24, 2005 |
Place of Death | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
Nationality | American |
Profession | American Activist |
Parents | James McCauley and Leona McCauley |
Who was Rosa Parks?
Rosa Parks is widely recognized as a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
On December 1, 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, an act that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped to end segregation on public transportation.

Parks was married to Raymond Parks, an activist and member of the NAACP, and the couple worked together to advance civil rights.
She was the secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP and later established the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development.
Parks received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award.
Who were Rosa Parks’ Parents?
Rosa Parks’ parents were James McCauley and Leona Edwards McCauley. James McCauley was a skilled carpenter and stonemason, and Leona Edwards McCauley was a teacher.
James McCauley
James McCauley, the father of Rosa Parks, was born in Abbeville, Alabama. He was the eldest son of Anderson and Louisa McCauley. He was a skilled carpenter and stonemason, following in the footsteps of his father.

James McCauley and Leona Edwards got married on April 12, 1912, at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Pine Level, Alabama.
They met while James was visiting his sister Addie in Pine Level, and Leona was a school teacher.
This marriage became important in the life of their daughter, Rosa Parks, who later became a famous civil rights activist.
Leona Edwards McCauley
Leona Edwards McCauley, the mother of Rosa Parks, was born in Pine Level, Alabama. She was the youngest of Sylvester and Rose Edwards’ three daughters.
Rosa Parks attended Payne University in Selma, but she didn’t finish her degree. Her mother, Leona, worked as a committed teacher in a rural school, and her modest salary was crucial for the family.

Leona passed on essential values to Rosa, emphasizing the significance of faith, self-respect, and education.
These values were further reinforced by Rosa’s grandparents and the teachers at Miss White’s School, which Rosa started attending at the age of eleven.
Leona Edwards McCauley passed away in 1979.
Rosa Parks’ Biography
Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama, is widely recognized as the “mother of the modern-day civil rights movement.”
Rosa Parks’ brave decision not to give up her seat to a white male passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus on December 1, 1955, sparked a powerful wave of protest that echoed across the United States.

Her peaceful yet courageous act had a profound impact, altering the perception of black people in America and reshaping the course of history.
Rosa Parks married Raymond Parks in 1932 and remained married until he died in 1977. She passed away on October 24, 2005, at 92.
Parks received numerous awards throughout her life, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
She was also a co-founder of the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development, which aimed to motivate and direct youth to achieve their highest potential.
Rosa Parks’ Nationality
Rosa Parks proudly held American nationality. The achievements and contributions of individuals in their respective fields often become a source of national pride.
As celebrities gain fame, their nationality becomes a prominent aspect linked to their identity.

People are naturally curious about the nationality of their favorite personalities, as it sheds light on their cultural background and influences.
In Rosa Parks’s case, her identity as an African American woman from the United States played a crucial role in shaping her activism and the profound impact she had on the civil rights movement.
Rosa Parks’ Activism
Rosa Parks embarked on her activist journey in the 1940s, making significant contributions when she joined the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP.

Within the organization, she took on roles as a secretary and youth leader, actively participating in initiatives like voter registration drives and various civil rights campaigns.
Parks continued her unwavering commitment to activism, advocating for civil rights on multiple fronts. Her focus extended to critical issues like voter registration, desegregation, and racial equality.
Collaborating with renowned organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the NAACP, Parks remained actively involved in numerous campaigns and protests throughout the tumultuous decades of the 1960s and 1970s.
Her enduring dedication left an indelible mark on the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the United States.
Rosa Parks’ Height and Weight
Fans often express curiosity about the physical attributes of their favorite celebrities, and Rosa Parks is no exception.

While her activism and achievements rightfully take center stage in her legacy, some may also wonder about her height and weight.
According to available information, Rosa Parks was estimated to be around 160 cm tall, with a reported weight of approximately 55 kg (121 lbs).
It’s crucial to emphasize that these details, thought of interest to some, should not overshadow the paramount significance of Rosa Parks’ contributions to the civil rights movement and the enduring impact she had on American history.
Rosa Parks’ Achievements and Awards
Rosa Parks received numerous awards and honors throughout her life, acknowledging her remarkable contributions to the civil rights movement. Some of the notable recognitions include
– Spingarn Medal from the NAACP in 1979
– Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the NAACP in 1980
– Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award in 1992

– Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 1996
– International Freedom Conductor Award from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in 1998
– Congressional Gold Medal in 1999
– Detroit-Windsor International Freedom Festival Freedom Award in 1999
– Governor’s Medal of Honor for Extraordinary Courage from the State of Alabama in 2000
– Alabama Academy Award in 2000
– Rosa Parks Library and Museum opening in Montgomery in 2000
– Rosa Parks Peace Prize established in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2006
– Rosa Parks statue was placed in the National Statuary Hall in 2006
– Rosa Parks Library and Museum dedicated on the campus of Troy University in Montgomery in December 2000
– Time Magazine named Rosa Parks as one of the 20 most powerful and influential figures of the century in 1999
– Rosa Parks’ body lying in honor at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in December 2005, making her the first woman and the second black person to lie in honor at the Capitol.
Rosa Parks also co-founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development in 1987.