Claudette Colvin

Date of Birth: September 5, 1939

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Biography

Claudette Colvin is an American civil rights activist who made a significant impact on the fight against racial segregation in the United States. Born on September 5, 1939, in Montgomery, Alabama, she grew up in a time of intense racial discrimination. At the age of 15, Colvin took a brave stand against segregation by refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a crowded, segregated bus in Montgomery. This act of defiance occurred on March 2, 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks’ similar protest. Colvin’s courageous actions led to her being arrested and charged with several offenses, including violating the city’s segregation laws. Despite her youth, she became one of the plaintiffs in the landmark case Browder v. Gayle, which ultimately led to the Supreme Court’s decision to end bus segregation in Montgomery. After her involvement in the civil rights movement, Colvin moved to New York City, where she worked as a nurse’s aide and raised her family. Her story, once overshadowed by other figures in the movement, has gained recognition in recent years, highlighting her essential role in the fight for equality.

5 Interesting Facts about Claudette Colvin

1. Claudette Colvin was only 15 years old when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus.

2. She was one of the plaintiffs in the Browder v. Gayle case, which led to the Supreme Court ruling that bus segregation was unconstitutional.

3. Colvin moved to New York City after her involvement in the civil rights movement and worked as a nurse’s aide.

4. She was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2016 for her contributions to the civil rights movement.

5. Claudette Colvin’s story was largely overshadowed by Rosa Parks’ similar protest, but she has since gained recognition for her bravery and impact.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Claudette Colvin

1. “I felt like Sojourner Truth was pushing down on one shoulder and Harriet Tubman was pushing down on the other, saying, ‘Sit down, girl!’ I was glued to my seat.”

2. “We couldn’t try on clothes. You had to take a brown paper bag and draw a diagram of your foot and take it to the store.”

3. “I knew then and I know now, when it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it.”

4. “I felt proud and happy for Rosa, but I also felt sad and angry because history had not remembered my name.”

5. “I just wanted to be free, like everybody else.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Claudette Colvin’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, as her contributions were primarily in the realm of social activism rather than financial gain.