Legacy, Leadership, and Lasting Impact: Rosa Parks 

As we celebrate US Black History Month, we turn to the words of Rosa Parks, the American civil rights activist who famously refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus. In this week’s quote, Parks reminds us that as leaders, our work extends beyond ourselves - it influences and inspires those around us: 

Leading through Resistance 

Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, and raised in the segregated South, where she often experienced racial prejudice and brutality. She became involved in the Civil Rights Movement early on, working alongside her husband, Raymond Parks, in multiple social justice organisations. Her leadership and dedication resulted in her election as secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP). 

Though many have portrayed Parks as a seamstress who refused to stand simply because she was tired, her act was a deliberate act of resistance. By then, she was already an established leader in the Civil Rights Movement.  Her arrest ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal moment that led to the desegregation of public transportation in Montgomery. Parks' words reflect her reality: she was highly involved in Detroit's Civil Rights Movement, fighting to stop inequality. Even after her death in 2005, the memory of her resistance against inequality remains fierce. 

Leadership through Spreading Impact to Others 

Parks' words are a reminder that our actions don't only remain in us, but those around us. Our leadership has the power to impact others, inspiring them to lead with integrity, curiosity, resilience and understanding. 

This emphasises the Laidlaw value of #Ambitious and the Oxford Character Project Leadership Virtue of #Justice.Being ambitious means to challenge the status quo and achieve what we once thought was unimaginable, impacting others through our deeds. Justice means leading with equality constantly in mind. 

A Call to Reflect

As we celebrate US Black History Month, we invite you to reflect on Rosa Parks' leadership insights. Share your thoughts in the comments: What is one action or deed you hope will continue to inspire others?