Type of Upbringing / Influences / Motivation

Rosa Parks was a sickly child throughout her childhood (tonsillitis), so it was hard for her mom to take care of her. Eventually, Rosa's parents separated, and Rosa and her brother went with their mother to Pine Level. At Pine Level, Rosa and her brother lived with their grandparents, as a result, Rosa was influenced by her grandparents throughout most of her childhood. Her grandfather was very emotional and had a belligerent attitude toward whites in general, while her grandmother had a calm personality. It was Rosa's grandfather that instilled in her mother, and eventually herself, not to put up with bad treatment from anybody. She was also influenced greatly by her own husband. Her husband was a strong activist, a member of the NAACP, and involved in the Scottsboro Boys case. Rosa admired his courage. Due to these family morals, Rosa developed a strong sense of what was fair at a young age and to be courageous. She even learned that she was a person of dignity and self-respect at the age of eleven. Furthermore, Rosa attended church during her childhood which later develops her beliefs into doing what is right and speaking up. She was influenced and motivated both by passed down morals and her religious belief in God which later became the main reasons for her actions and success.

B i o g r a p h y c o n t.

Rosa Parks