Although she passed away at the age of 92 (Oct. 24, 2005 in Detroit), Parks left a legacy that lives on. Just 5-foot-3, Parks stood tall for her personal rights and the liberties of others that were denied by segregationist Jim Crow laws.
The laws in Montgomery, Alabama, and elsewhere forced African American passengers to get on the front of the bus to pay a fare, exit the bus and re-board at the back of the bus. African Americans were forced to sit at the back of the bus and told to give up their seats to white passengers.