Rosa Parks author and subject of Quiet Strength is recognized as the “mother of the modern-day civil
rights movement.”
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to move to the back
of a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama. She was not trying to start a movement.
She was simply tired of social injustice and did not think a woman should be
forced to stand so that a man could sit down. Yet her simple act of courage set
in motion a chain of events that changed forever the landscape of American race
relations.
In Quiet Strength,
written and published to commemorate the 40th year Anniversary of
that event, Mrs. Parks speaks to us about her life, her passion for freedom and
equality; and her strong faith. Quiet
Strength celebrates the principles and convictions that guided Mrs. Parks
through a remarkable life. It is a printed legacy-her lasting message to a
world still struggling to live in harmony.
Mrs. Parks has helped make this country a kinder place for
people of all races, but as she so eloquently reminds us, there is still much
to be done. Quiet Strength gives us
the motivation to carry on her legacy.
In March of 1995 I was Book Department Manager of the
Potomac Adventist Book Store in Takoma Park, MD. One day I got a call from a
representative of the Zondervan Publishing company during which I was asked if
we would be interested to have Rosa Parks visit our store and meet our customers
as part of the promotion for the new book just being released then; this very
book I am reviewing here Quiet Strength.
I without hesitation said “Yes!”
After a number of phone calls and working out the
arrangements we were able to schedule Rosa Parks to be at the store Friday
afternoon, April 28, 1995. I had earlier been informed that she would not be
able to sign books for our customers—at that that time she was 82 years old,
however she would meet our customers and people could have their picture taken
with her.
We then arranged to have an interview about the event at a
local radio station WGTS FM during which Gerry Fuller interviewed Johnny
Johnson former Assistant Secretary of the
United States Navy about Rosa Parks and the opportunity to meet “someone
from history” at Potomac Adventist Book Store, meaning Rosa Parks.
The day finally arrived.
Rosa Parks arrived in a stretch Limo and entered the store. By the time
she arrived hundreds of people were already in line to meet her. This was one
of the most momentous author events that we had at the Book Store during my 45
years of working at the store. Rosa
Parks was delightful to have at the store and many people were so pleased to
get to meet her in person. It is estimated that well over 2000 people came
through the store to meet her.
The students from one of the local Elementary Schools made a
large banner that said, “We Love you Rosa Parks” which they held up outside the
store in the line of people that were waiting to meet this legendary woman Mrs.
Parks.
Since she was not going to autograph books for our customers,
we had permission to make a commemorative books mark with her autograph printed
on it. The book mark said: “I met Rosa Parks Author of Quiet Strength at
Potomac Adventist Book Store April 28, 1995 40th Anniversary of the
Courageous Act that Launched the Civil Rights Movement. 1955-1995.”
Quiet Strength, is
available from a number of online venues including Amazon.com. I would
encourage you to order a copy and read it. Mrs Park’s story will still inspire
us to make this world a kinder place for people of all races. Mrs Parks wrote,
“I want to be remembered as a person who stood up to injustice, who wanted a
better world for young people.”
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