S5101

Rosa Parks

Civil Rights Pioneer

Collins Cover Announcement 

ROSA PARKS 

Civil Rights Pioneer

The United States Congress has called Rosa "the First Lady of Civil rights" and "the Mother of the Freedom Movement." My individually hand painted cachet shows Parks as she appeared in 1955 when her civil act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama. Both her refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger and the ensuing boycott became important symbols of the modern Civil Rights Movement. In addition to the portrait of Rosa, the cover shows one of the municipal busses in the exact colors as of that December 1, 1955 day.

Her act was a private one that demonstrated much personal courage. As a result of her defiance, Parks was fired from a job as seamstress at a local department store. She moved north and found similar employment. Ten years later she became a secretary for Congressman John Conyers and held that position from 1965 to 1988.

By insisting_ on her individual rights, this ordinary citizen became an extraordinary historic figure. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. After her death, a posthumous statue was dedicated in the U. S. Capital's National Statuary Hall. And upon her death in 2005, she was the first woman, the second African-American, and the second non-government person to lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda.

My First Day Cover for a lady of courage — Rosa Parks — is now ready. Collins #S5101 at S14.00.

Summer 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 30 S5101 — Rosa Parks — Civil Rights Pioneer 2-4-13

The United States Congress has called Rosa Parks "The First Lady of Civil Rights" and "The Mother of the Freedom Movement." On December 1, 1955, she was seated in the colored section when the Montgomery, Alabama bus driver ordered her to give her seat to another passenger after the white section became full. She refused to do so and was arrested for civil disobedience. A federal lawsuit succeeded in November 1956, and because of this court ruling and Rosa's personal courage, her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott became an important symbol of the Civil Rights Movement. From 1965 to 1968 Parks was the secretary to Congressman John Conyers. The hand painted cachet shows Rosa in front of one of the buses subject to the boycott. The stamp has the day of issue postmark from Detroit, Michigan where she had moved to in succeeding years. Rosa Parks received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and is the 31' person to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda — the first woman to do so.