Rosa Parks was an African-American civil rights activist, whom the U.S. Congress called “the first lady of civil rights”, and “the mother of the freedom movement.” Born February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama, Parks grew up when racism and discrimination was a norm in African American cultures. She made a name for herself in civil rights circles when she refused to obey a white bus driver and move to the back of the bus, so someone white could take her seat in the front of the bus. Parks’ act of defiance became a major player in the civil rights movement and caught the attention of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.

Click HERE to read Rosa Parks Bio

Below we take a look at the life of Rosa Parks through a timeline of the major events in her life…

1913 – This Rosa Parks timeline starts on February 4, 1913 when Rosa Louise McCauley was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her parents were James McCauley, a carpenter and Schoolteacher Leona McCauley

1928 - She attends Booker T. Washington High School for ninth grade, but drops out when her grand mother becomes seriously ill and subsequently dies

1932 – December 18: Marries Raymond Parks, a barber, at 19.

1945 – WW2 ends and Rosa Parks receives her certificate for voting after three attempts

1946 – June 3: The U.S. Supreme Court banned segregation in interstate bus travel

Aug 10: Race riots occur in Athens, Alabama

1949 - Rosa and her husband Raymond work with Montgomery branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP’s) programs. Rosa Parks acts as secretary and later a youth leader

1955 - August: Rosa Parks meets Martin Luther King

November 25: The Interstate Commerce Commission bans segregation in buses and all waiting rooms involved in interstate travel
December 1: Rosa Parks is arrested in Montgomery, Alabama for refusing to give her seat on the bus to a white passenger. She is arrested, fingerprinted, jailed by police and fined $14.
December 5: She stands trial and is found guilty of breaking the segregation laws.
December 5: Martin Luther King becomes the president of the Montgomery Improvement Association which was organized due to protest against the incident involving Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott begins which will last 381 days.

1956 – January: Rosa Parks loses her job as a seamstress at Montgomery Fair

December 21: The Montgomery buses are desegregated and black passengers could legally take any seat on the city’s buses

1979 – Rosa Parks receives NAACP’s Spingarn Medal

1987 - Rosa founds the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development with long time friend Elaine Eason Steele which offers guidance to young blacks

1992 – Rosa publishes her first book, “Rosa Parks My Story”

1998 - April 21: The Rosa Parks Museum and Library is opened at her arrest site in Montgomery, Alabama

September 2: The Rosa L. Parks Learning Center is opened. Rosa is also inducted into the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame

2003 - October 29: Rosa Parks is honored with the International Institute Heritage Hall of Fame Award. She is then diagnosed with progressive dementia.

2005 – October 24: Rosa Parks dies on in her Detroit home

“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free… so other people would be also free.” – Rosa Parks

Bill Duke, the co-director of Dark Girls, dropped by to discuss the documentary. He spoke to WOLDCNEWS.com about the struggles and colorism that women of color deal with not worldwide. Duke directed the film with D. Channsin Berry.Check out our exclusive interview below:

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Also check out the pics from the Dark Girls premier in DC.

Huge names like the legendary group The Impressions, Patti Labelle, Eddie Levert, Anthony Hamilton, India Arie, Ray Chew and his band Ray Chew LIVE and Naturally 7 made it out Thursday evening to pay tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. for the Message In The Music Concert. The artists performed legendary sounds of the Civil Rights Movement inspiring hope, strength and change. It was a feel-good show that had the audience dancing in the aisles. Also in attendance were stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Dominique Dawes, Rev. Jesse Jackson and the list goes on and on.

The video is coming soon…

Photos courtesy of Majic Baltimore

At the luncheon, notables such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. King’s eldest son Martin Luther King III, former NAACP chairman Julian Bond, The National Urban League president Marc Morial, gospel artist Earnest Pugh, US attorney general Eric Holder, Texas congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, actress Victoria Rowell, TV One host Rowland Martin and many others spoke at the event or were in attendance.

Unfortunately, the weekend celebrations and planned memorial dedication were cut short for Saturday and Sunday due to the approaching hurricane that is forecasted to impact the D.C. area. The dedication and events planned for Saturday and Sunday have been cancelled and will be reschedule for a date that has yet to be announced.

See the video and photos below.
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Hurricane Irene is expected to climb up the Eastern seaboard and reach the D.C. metropolitan area by Saturday night.  If Irene follows the forecasted trajectory the category three storm will not only be the first hurricane to touch land in three years but the second natural disaster in the area in less than a week following Tuesday’s rare 5.8 earthquake.

“This will not just be a coastal storm,” said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate in a conference call to the news media. “We can see impacts well inland both from winds that can cause widespread power outages as trees fall down but also flooding.”

Click here for latest hurricane tracking info.

Below are some hurricane tips issued by FEMA on how to stay safe in if the hurricane makes landfall in the DC area.

Before a Hurricane

To prepare for a hurricane, you should take the following measures:

• Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Determine how and where to secure your boat.
• Consider building a safe room.
  

During a Hurricane

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to the radio or TV for information.
• Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks.· Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Move your boat if time permits.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
  

You should evacuate under the following conditions:

• If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
  

Click here more information

A memorial celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be erected on the National Mall on August 28th.

President Barack Obama will give an address at the Aug. 28 Memorial Dedication.

Below are a full listing of public events:

Wednesday, August 24
Honoring Global Leaders for Peace International Salute Gala
7 to 10 p.m.
National Building Museum

Thursday, August 25
Honoring Past, Present, Future Pioneers Civil Rights Pioneers Luncheon
12 to 2 p.m.
Washington Convention Center

Partners in the Dream
Public Expo
3 p.m. Ribbon Cutting, Expo Open until 8 p.m.
Washington Convention Center

The Message in the Music
Concert of Civil Rights Era Music
8 to 10 p.m.
Washington Convention Center

Friday, August 26
Partners in the Dream Public Expo
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Washington Convention Center

Women Who Dare to Dream Luncheon Honoring Women Civil Rights Leaders
12 to 2 p.m.
Washington Convention Center

Saturday, August 27
Partners in the Dream Public Expo
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Washington Convention Center

Interfaith Prayer Service
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Washington National Cathedral

Dream Keepers Encouraging Future Leaders Youth Symposium
12 to 3 p.m.
Washington Convention Center

The Celebration Dream Gala
7 to 10 p.m.
Washington Convention Center

Sunday, August 28
Dedication
Pre-Dedication Concert: 10 a.m.
Dedication Ceremony: 11 a.m.
Post-Dedication Concert: 2 p.m.
West Potomac Park

Partners in the Dream
Public Expo
2:30 to 6 p.m.
Washington Convention Center

Click here for more information or to purchase tickets!

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office released an updated death certificate after an autopsy, finding that Davis had a pulmonary thrombo-embolism.

According to TMZ.com, Davis’ husband Michael Yard believes that the surgery was responsible for the blood clot, claiming Davis was healthy before arriving at the hospital. The site explains, he “asked the Coroner’s Officer if it meant she died as a result of the surgery…but the office said they could not give a definitive answer.

Read more at HuffingtonPost.com

The conversion, known as reparative therapy, was also brought up in 2006, in which Bachmann denied allegations.

The Root Reports:

In 2006, Bachmann denied the use of conversion tactics in an interview with Minneapolis’ City Pages. Bachmann said to the City Pages:“Am I aware that the perception is out there? I can’t comment on that. If someone is interested in talking to us about their homosexuality, we are open to talking about that. But if someone comes in a homosexual and they want to stay homosexual, I don’t have a problem with that.”

As Michele Bachmann continues to attract buzz for her GOP presidential run, the claims have resurfaced —  several former patients of the state- and federally funded clinic came forward to attest to the Christian clinic’s alleged use of conversion therapy.

Read More At TheRoot.com

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