It is one of the most well known stories ever told. Across the globe, people of all generations have been taught about the events of Dec. 1, 1955 when a tired, African-American seamstress in Montgomery, Ala., refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a White man. This poignant story of courage and conviction has touched the hearts of millions, but it is hardly the complete story of Rosa Parks.
For starters, Mrs. Parks had been an activist for civil and human rights long before she sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In fact, her activist career dated back to the 1930s when she was involved in the effort to free the “Scottsboro Boys.” Years later she would serve as secretary and youth council advisor for the Montgomery NAACP. At that time the humble, but resolute Mrs. Parks had no idea that she would become affectionately known as the mother of the Civil Rights Movement.
Mrs. Parks’ story has a very lengthy and impactful Detroit chapter as well, which included serving on the staff of Congressman John Conyers and later co-founding the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development with Elaine Eason Steele in honor of Mrs. Parks’ husband, Raymond (1903-1977).
Given that Mrs. Parks lived more than half of her adult life in Detroit, it is only fitting that her legacy is widely celebrated in this city. One of the organizations at the forefront in advancing this great legacy for future generations is the Rosa L. Parks Scholarship Foundation.
Founded in 1980 by the Detroit News, Detroit Public Schools and the Butzel Long law firm, the foundation is “dedicated to awarding scholarships to Michigan high school seniors who hold close to Mrs. Parks’ ideals while demonstrating academic skills, community involvement and economic need.”
This year marks the foundation’s 30th year of service to the community and youth throughout the state.
“I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people and one of my regrets was not having a chance to touch or shake the hand of Mrs. Rosa Parks. Therefore, when I was asked to be a part of the organization it was a very special invitation with a great deal of meaning for me,” said Louise Guyton, assistant treasurer and foundation board member. Guyton is also vice president of Public Affairs for Comerica Bank, a sponsor of the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation.
“From an individual standpoint, and from the standpoint of our company, you certainly want to do what you can to support an organization that is helping to preserve Mrs. Parks’ legacy while providing opportunity for our youth,” Guyton said. “Helping young people in need, that is what really touched me about this organization. And if we’re doing that we are definitely being true to what Mrs. Parks was all about.”
In June, the foundation honored its 2010 scholarship recipients during a program at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and a familiar person in attendance was Delora Hall Tyler.
“As a trustee of the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation for the past 15 years, you would think that my excitement might have waned by now, as I watched 42 young men and women receive their certificates and bask in applause from parents and family members. Yet once again June 16 was a day that made me swell with pride as I listened, teary-eyed, to some of the winners read their essays,” Tyler said.
“Arnold Jackson, a young African-American man, suggested programs where men, including Black college professors, go to schools weekly and help mentor boys like him so they could learn how to become men.
“Katie Romos poignantly asked everyone to extend themselves to help eliminate homelessness. And Angel Mills wrote that the miseducation of Detroit Public Schools students is an abomination. She stated that her goal upon completion of college is to return to Detroit and start a non-profit business committed to providing Detroit youth with after-school programs.
“Each of these students made me, and I hope others in attendance, keenly aware of the magnitude of the service our scholars plan on providing.”
The keynote speaker was Jamal Simmons, a member of the foundation’s 1988 scholarship class, who is now nationally known for his work as a political analyst and television commentator for CNN.
“He reminded the new scholars that they will face challenges, but that the most important thing is that they recover and continue to fulfill their dreams,” said Tyler, who has served as the foundation’s president the past two years.
“Jamal’s down-to-earth style and the wisdom that he imparted sent the perfect message.”
The Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation strives to award 40 $2,000 scholarships annually. Since its inception, more than 900 graduates have been awarded $2.4 million.
“Most recently, our emphasis has been to elevate awareness about what the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation does, and what makes it worthy of more support,” Tyler said. “But as hard as I try to describe the importance of this cause, no words can express what you see when you look into the eyes of 42 survivors who have navigated their way through all kinds of trials and tribulations in order to graduate and be recognized as Rosa Parks scholars.”
To learn more about the Rosa L. Parks Scholarship Foundation, including how to make a donation, please visit www.rosaparksscholarshipfoundation.org.