WASHINGTON — Seventy years ago, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus. Now, Alabama’s first Black Congresswoman, Terri Sewell, is pushing to make December 1 a federal holiday to honor the trailblazer.
Parks’ arrest helped spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott and signaled a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement.
On Monday, Sewell highlighted her legislation, which she reintroduced in February, alongside Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, that would make Rosa Parks Day, the first federal holiday to honor a woman.
“Each year, Rosa Parks Day will serve as a reminder of the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary social change,” Sewell, D-Birmingham, said in a video statement. “And each year, Americans—young and old—can draw inspiration from her legacy in the continued struggle for equality and justice.”
The Alabama Democrat said moving the Rosa Parks Day Act forward is crucial to honor the historic arrest, given the Trump administration’s attacks on Black history. Earlier this year, the White House enacted an executive order prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government, which temporarily halted the use of Air Force curriculum about the Tuskegee Airmen.
“In times like these, it is especially important for us to tell our stories and to recognize the contributions of amazing African American leaders like Rosa Parks,” Sewell said. “Her legacy is proud Alabama history—proud American history—and it should always remain that way.”
Figures commemorated the 70th anniversary of Parks’ arrest on social media.
“Because of Rosa Parks and the other civil rights fighters who risked their lives for freedom, equality, and justice, America is a more inclusive country for African Americans, and I am able to sit in Congress today,” he said.
The bill faces an uphill battle in the House, where Republicans hold a majority. The legislation has more than 60 cosponsors, and all are Democrats.
In 2018, Alabama designated Dec. 1 as Rosa Parks Day to honor the civil rights icon, but it is not a full-fledged state holiday.
Gov. Kay Ivey called Parks one of “the strongest our nation has ever known” in a social media post.
“Her courage dared America to be better,” Ivey said. “And the challenge — to do what is right — still stands for each of us today.”
Recently, a statue of Parks was unveiled on the grounds of the Alabama Capitol alongside a statue honoring Helen Keller. The two monuments are the first to honor women on the lawn of the state’s capitol.