The Impact of Claudette Colvin

Claudette Colvin was a pivotal but often overlooked figure in the civil rights movement, known for her courageous act of refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks' more famous protest. Despite being only 15 years old, her actions sparked significant conversations and movements aimed at civil rights, leading to greater public awareness and activism against segregation. The choice to elevate Rosa Parks as the face of the movement was strategic, as the movement leaders believed Parks’ age and background made her a more relatable and representative figure. Nevertheless, Colvin's bravery laid critical groundwork for subsequent actions such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was later recognized in various ways, including the declaration of Claudette Colvin Day in Montgomery.