Ohio was the first state to designate Dec. 1 as Rosa Parks Day to honor her life and legacy as the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement. In 2005, then-state representative, and now Congresswoman Joyce Beatty wrote, advocated and won unanimous support to pass Ohio’s legislation in the 50th-anniversary year of Mrs. Parks’ courageous act. In refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white passenger, she sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the modern civil rights movement.
The tribute has been recognized nationally, and in 2011 it was entered into the Congressional Record during a session of the U.S. House of Representatives. Two years earlier, the American Public Transportation Association awarded Ohio’s tribute its Grand Prize Award in the Special Events category.
The events are hosted by the Central Ohio Transit Authority, The Ohio State University and Rosa Parks Day Founder, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty
Children’s Assembly - Friday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.
More than 600 elementary school students from five area schools will attend, and the event will be streamed live to elementary schools throughout the state on 10TV.com. The assembly will feature “Front of the Bus,” an interactive sing-a-long of civil rights and freedom songs with Arnett Howard, Leslie Zak, Paisha Thomas and others. Dr. Dan Good, Superintendent of Columbus City Schools, Robert L. Solomon, Assistant Vice Provost for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Ohio State University, and Brutus Buckeye, will make special appearances. Jerry Revish will serve as master of ceremonies.
