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The hidden life of Rosa Parks - Riché D. Richardson

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Throughout her life, Rosa Parks repeatedly challenged racial violence and the prejudiced systems protecting its perpetrators. Her refusal to move to the back of a segregated bus ignited a boycott that lasted 381 days and helped transform civil rights activism into a national movement. But this work came at an enormous risk— and a personal price. Riché D. Richardson details the life of Rosa Parks.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Riche Richardson
  • Director Joash Berkeley
  • Narrator Christina Greer
  • Storyboard Artist Harol Bustos, Rommel Ruiz, Federico Epis
  • Animator Joash Berkeley, Chris Saez, Manuel Neto, Felipe Vargas, Seongjin Yoon, Taylor Peters, Reece Parker, Jose Peña
  • Art Director Joash Berkeley, Harol Bustos
  • Compositor Joash Berkeley
  • Sound Designer John Poon
  • Music John Poon, Alphonso Horne, Josh Cole, Todd Pentney, Daniel Kluger
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Iseult Gillespie
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac
  • See more
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Here are some additional resources to learn more about Rosa Parks:

Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute

Troy University Rosa Parks Museum

Tour of Rosa Parks Museum

The Henry Ford Organization

Rosa Parks: A Resource Guide at the Library of Congress

National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture

Rosa Parks Statue at National Statuary Hall at the United States Capitol

Rosa Parks Interviews

Interview 1
Interview 2
Interview 3

Films and Documentaries

Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks by Houston and Houston, Teaching Tolerance
Quiet Revolutionary
The Rosa Parks Story

Interviews Related to Rosa Parks

Interview with Elaine Steele, Rosa Parks’s Friend and Caretaker
Jeanne Theoharis on Political Biography of Rosa Parks on C-SPAN
The History Channel on Rosa Parks
Nikky Finney Reading from Red Velvet

Here’s some information on Claudette Colvin, The Girl Before Rosa Parks.

Books about Rosa Parks for Young Readers

Additional information about Recy Taylor and others involved with the Civil Rights Movement

The Rape of Recy Taylor Film Clip and Discussion

Johnnie Rebecca Carr and Fred Gray on Rosa Parks


Riché Richardson’s Scholarship and Art on Rosa Parks

Article on Quilt Exhibitions at Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery

Two selected Scholarly Work on Rosa Parks by Riché Richardson here and here.

Riché Richardson’s Rosa Parks Art Quilt

Riché Richardson’s Keynote and Participation in Stamp Unveiling at Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery

Associated Press. “Postal Service Unveils Stamp honoring Parks.” The Montgomery Advertiser. February 5, 2013.

Here are some resources about the educator’s Rosa Parks@100 talk at Cornell.

Video link

News Article

In the news

Riché Richardson’s TranAtlantica Interview on Rosa Parks
TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
Why is Rosa Parks described as “the mother of the Civil Rights Movement?”
04/30/2019
Avatar for Federica Dressino
Federica Dressino • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks was amongst the first people to make an impactful move on the Civil Rights Movements by immersing herself into her work in the NAACP. But she also set the foundation of her rights by not moving off her chair on a bus when told to. This action inspired many African-American individuals. And another important aspect, she was a woman, at that time she was one amongst 2 women in the Montgomery section of the NAACP. She inspired many other females to fight for their civil rights and to not be scared of prosecution. She was an important asset to the law forbidding segregation on public transportation and many other new laws to come.

04/13/2020
Avatar for Ethan Liu
Ethan Liu • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Because she was the first to do this.

04/13/2020
Avatar for Patricia Laux
Patricia Laux • COMPLETED LESSON

she was very brave with her actions and she intended to stay in the spot she wanted and she wasnt going to let anyone tell her different

04/13/2020
Avatar for Latavia Standifer
Latavia Standifer • LESSON IN PROGRESS

well not really so boom

04/16/2020 • 
IN RESPONSE TO  Show the comment
Avatar for Safia Huyghebaert
Safia Huyghebaert • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks was very outspoken and passionate about what she believed was right. Early on she joined her husband in the NAACP and was voted secretary. She also took the bus and believing that her and the white man were equal refused to get of off her seat in the bus. She was then convicted and arrested. This inspired many to join her boycott of segregated public transportation and lead protests for their rights.

04/21/2020
Avatar for Andie Villicana-Cerrato
Andie Villicana-Cerrato • LESSON IN PROGRESS

because she help a lot of people

04/21/2020
Avatar for Meron Kebede
Meron Kebede • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks was a strong woman who was willing to fight for her's and other's rights. She joined the NAACP and was later elected as the secretary. She also refused to get off her seat and move to the back of the bus when she was asked to. This inspired others to fight for their rights and started the boycott, which resulted in the desegregation of public transportation.

04/26/2020
Avatar for Leasuone Vaeoso
Leasuone Vaeoso • Fagatogo, American Samoa • COMPLETED LESSON

She is a one brave woman

05/02/2020
Avatar for Ariana Ali
Ariana Ali • LESSON IN PROGRESS

she is described as this because what she did nobody else would have done. she had guts to stand up for her rights and thats why she is remember for this. honestly she is just an amazing person

05/14/2020
Avatar for Antonio Figueroa
Antonio Figueroa • COMPLETED LESSON

She was considered this because Rosa was one of the few people to make an impact on the Civil Rights movement. Her single act of refusing to stand up in the bus lead to a movement in Montgomery and later it went national.

05/14/2020
Avatar for ahn hyewon
ahn hyewon • COMPLETED LESSON

because Rosa parks the courage woman to struggle on racism.

05/21/2020
Avatar for Titus Bessey
Titus Bessey • COMPLETED LESSON

Her refusal to remove on the bus sparked a rebellion against racial violence.

06/01/2020
Avatar for Graeme Pacenti [Student]
Graeme Pacenti [Student] • LESSON IN PROGRESS

because she is the most recognized civil rights activists

06/01/2020
Avatar for Ravneet Grewal
Ravneet Grewal • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Rosa parks was a first who fought for civil rights.

06/09/2020
Avatar for edgar medallo
edgar medallo • COMPLETED LESSON

Because despite her being a woman and a seamstress she was successful in making sure that her and the Black's rights were heard and brought to world's attention, and that she made sure that racial discrimination had no place in a just and humane society.

06/27/2020
Avatar for anai gray
anai gray • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa parks is described as the mother of the civil rights movement because she was the first to ever do that. she changed the world for all African American people of all ages she's looked up to now. she's very brave she always knew what she was doing and why she's doing it she's doing it for a reason she doesn't want to see the black community get mistreated. she refuses to move because of racial violence and that made a spark on a lot of people she changed the way us black people live.

08/06/2020
Avatar for Ricardojr Varela
Ricardojr Varela • LESSON IN PROGRESS

cause her actions inspired may people to protest and end segregation

08/13/2020
Avatar for Kayla Dazen
Kayla Dazen • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks was described as "the mother of the civil rights movement " because she knew what was right and wanted to do what was best for her and her people. She was determined to make the rights equal and right. What she was doing inspired people to help and join her boycott. Many others wanted to fight for rights after Rosa refused to move to the back of the bus.

08/15/2020
Avatar for Davinia Domínguez
Davinia Domínguez • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Because she was a very brave woman who joined in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and fought hard against the racism. She refused to follow an order that was against her rights and finally she was jailed. This situation inspired many people that started a large protest which lasted more than a year. As a result, segregation on public transport was ended.

08/17/2020
Avatar for 민욱 김
민욱 김 • COMPLETED LESSON

She is called "The Mother of the Civil Right Movement" because she gave the black people equal rights. She did a lot of activities such as the bus boycott that gave black people right to sit in the front seat of the bus.

01/18/2021
Avatar for SOREN MANCL
SOREN MANCL • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Rosa Parks ignited the Civil Rights Movement, activists visited her every day in jail. Without Rosa Parks, this movement would have occurred MUCH later, maybe never!

02/03/2021
Avatar for (Student) Mae Salgado
(Student) Mae Salgado • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Rosa parks was one of the first ever black women to make such a drastic Civil Rights Movement. She is also very brave knowing she was hated by white people but she still sat in the front of the bus to make a change.

02/04/2021
Avatar for 파리 이
파리 이 • LESSON IN PROGRESS

due to the bus boycott she planed, civil rights movement became known to the whole nation

02/09/2021
Avatar for Christian Topping
Christian Topping • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks invigorated the struggle for racial equality when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. ... Parks became an instant icon, but her resistance was a natural extension of a lifelong commitment to activism.

02/10/2021
Avatar for SY C
SY C • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks was a strong woman who was willing to fight for her's and other's rights. She joined the NAACP and was later elected as the secretary. She also refused to get off her seat and move to the back of the bus when she was asked to. This inspired others to fight for their rights and started the boycott, which resulted in the desegregation of public transportation.

02/14/2021
Avatar for Eryn Burton
Eryn Burton • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Because the work she did took bravery & a lot of courage from people around her , I couldn't imagine doing what she did .

02/15/2021
Avatar for Gavin Strange
Gavin Strange • COMPLETED LESSON

\

02/16/2021
Avatar for Kimberly Rodriguez
Kimberly Rodriguez • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks was a strong woman who was willing to fight for her's and other's rights. She joined the NAACP and was later elected as the secretary. She also refused to get off her seat and move to the back of the bus when she was asked to. This inspired others to fight for their rights and started the boycott, which resulted in the desegregation of public transportation. she is described as this because what she did nobody else would have done. she had guts to stand up for her rights and thats why she is remember for this. honestly she is just an amazing person

02/18/2021
Avatar for Bivianna M
Bivianna M • LESSON IN PROGRESS

She was the first women of color to have there voice heard by many people.She fought not because she wanted to but needed to because she knew she needed to make a change.By the way she helped people to the actions that involved no violence.

02/18/2021
Avatar for JanelFaith Totanes-147004758
JanelFaith Totanes-147004758 • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks is described as "the mother" because of the huge impact her choices made and popularity she acquired which inspired and brought together more people to fight for civil rights.

02/20/2021
Avatar for Leslie Alvarado-141001427
Leslie Alvarado-141001427 • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks was a brave women who took a chance to make change in history even though it was a very dangerous thing to do during these times.

02/21/2021
Avatar for Bianca Quiroz-147004877
Bianca Quiroz-147004877 • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Why she was ¨The mother of the civil rights movement¨ was because she was the first to do this movement for her everyone´s rights she went through so much for her people and she did everything she could just to change the rights for her people.

02/22/2021
Avatar for Eric Mendez-147004510
Eric Mendez-147004510 • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Rosa Parks was described as "the mother of the Civil Rights Movements" because she was one of the few people to stand up for not just herself but for others. One day she went into a bus and sat down, as she was forced to move because of white people she didnt budge and so she was thrown into jail and many people had heard about this and they saw how unfair they treated a women and many people helped because of Rosa Park.

02/22/2021
Avatar for Kimberly ArceParra-147004459
Kimberly ArceParra-147004459 • COMPLETED LESSON

Rosa Parks was described at "the mother of civil war" When she declined to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, she revitalised the fight for racial equality.

02/22/2021
Avatar for Nicole Martinez-141001403
Nicole Martinez-141001403 • COMPLETED LESSON

She was brave enough to stay seated, she could've gotten killed. Plus, the death threats.. so honestly she put herself out there to make a change.

02/23/2021
Avatar for Tatum Harris
Tatum Harris • LESSON IN PROGRESS

She was the first african american woman to stand up to those policeman and show who was really in charge. She wasn't scared about going to jail or getting killed, she wanted to show that civil rights can be civil.

03/02/2021
Avatar for Marcela Guendulain-384001375
Marcela Guendulain-384001375 • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Because she had one of the biggest impact to the NAACP, that impact desegregated buses and that was just the beginning

03/02/2021
Avatar for Fatima Santos
Fatima Santos • Recife Pernambuco, Brazil • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Because, even though she was not the first to rebel against the awful law of sitting on the back of the bus that African Americans should obey, she was the one who inspired a whole community to protest against segregation, giving birth to a series of new movements against those laws.

03/26/2021
Avatar for Riche Richardson
Riche Richardson • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Yes, well said. It's so useful to frame her choice in relation to the larger grassroots movement that was unfolding in Montgomery.

04/06/2021 • 
IN RESPONSE TO Fatima Santos Show the comment
Avatar for Riche Richardson
Riche Richardson • LESSON IN PROGRESS

Let's nuance it a bit. There were several predecessors, including Claudette Colvin, all of whom were part of in the Browder v. Gayle case.

04/06/2021 • 
IN RESPONSE TO  Show the comment

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Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Riche Richardson
  • Director Joash Berkeley
  • Narrator Christina Greer
  • Storyboard Artist Harol Bustos, Rommel Ruiz, Federico Epis
  • Animator Joash Berkeley, Chris Saez, Manuel Neto, Felipe Vargas, Seongjin Yoon, Taylor Peters, Reece Parker, Jose Peña
  • Art Director Joash Berkeley, Harol Bustos
  • Compositor Joash Berkeley
  • Sound Designer John Poon
  • Music John Poon, Alphonso Horne, Josh Cole, Todd Pentney, Daniel Kluger
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Iseult Gillespie
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac
  • See more