Who was the first African American woman to refuse to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama?

• A. Rosa Parks
• B. Coretta Scott King
• C. Ella Baker
• D. Ida B. Wells

Answer: (A)

Rosa Parks is a pivotal figure in the history of the American civil rights movement, best known for her courageous act of defiance on December 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. This act of civil disobedience became a significant catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was a critical event that ignited a larger movement aimed at ending racial segregation in the United States.

Parks' action was not just a spontaneous moment; it was deeply rooted in her long-standing commitment to civil rights and community activism. She was involved with the NAACP and had previously worked against racial discrimination. This refusal to give up her seat became symbolic of the broader struggle for equal rights and inspired many others to join the fight against segregation and injustice.

While the other individuals listed have made significant contributions to civil rights and social justice, Parks' specific act of resistance on the bus marks her as the first African American woman to challenge the discriminatory practices of that time in such a public and impactful manner.