Rosa Parks Lies in Repose

Rosa Parks, known as the 'mother of the civil rights movement,' was honored in a solemn ceremony following her passing. Her coffin was transported to Montgomery, where it was carried in a horse-drawn hearse to the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. This church holds historical significance as a center for African American worship and community activism. Parks lay in repose at the altar, dressed in the uniform of a church deaconess, symbolizing her deep commitment to her faith and community service. The following day, a memorial service was conducted, drawing attention from various dignitaries and the public alike. Among the speakers was United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who reflected on Parks' profound impact on her life and the lives of many others, emphasizing that without Parks' courageous actions, her own path may have been drastically different. This acknowledgment highlights the far-reaching influence of Parks' legacy in shaping civil rights and social justice in America.