Montgomery says happy 108th to Rosa Parks with cards, cupcakes and museum tours

Montgomery says happy 108th to Rosa Parks with cards, cupcakes and museum tours

Saturday’s celebration is toned down a little due to virus restrictions, but Montgomery’s Rosa Parks Museum is moving forward to celebrate the civil rights icon’s  108th birthday. 



Rosa Parks, Rosa Parks are posing for a picture: This Rosa Parks birthday card by Niema Hussain, a 17-year-old 11th grade homeschooled student in Montgomery. It features Parks speaking in 1968 at the Poor People's March at the Washington Monument.


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This Rosa Parks birthday card by Niema Hussain, a 17-year-old 11th grade homeschooled student in Montgomery. It features Parks speaking in 1968 at the Poor People’s March at the Washington Monument.

“Because of COVID, we don’t have the normal big arts and crafts kind of stuff,” Madeline Burkhardt, adult education coordinator and curator. 

Instead, the museum at 252 Montgomery Street is offering free admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in honor of Rosa Parks. 

“We will have individually wrapped cupcakes,” Burkhardt said. These are available while supplies last

“You can make a birthday card for Rosa, leave it with us and we’ll display them,” Burkhardt said. 

Guests are required to wear masks at all times, and must practice social distancing. The museum is allowing up to 25 in the permanent exhibition area at a time. 

For more information about the museum, visit troy.edu/rosaparks

Citywide birthday card contest

In 1955, the Montgomery seamstress stood against segregation by not giving up her seat to a white man on a city bus. Her arrest became the catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

On Thursday, the city of Montgomery will announce the winners of its new Rosa Parks birthday card contest, which was open to students across the city.

Several entries were turned in, with amazing art and birthday messages for Parks written as if she were alive today. 

“Dear Mrs Parks, thank you for making African Americans able to sit in the front of the bus,” wrote Shaniya Dean, a 7th grader at Brewbaker Middle School. 

“Thank you for your bravery and determination,” wrote Sophia Adams, a 4th grader at Forest Avenue. “You have been an inspiration to me and Black people everywhere. You fought to end segregation and without you nothing would be like it is today. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and all is well with you and your family.”

Inwon Cho, a first-grader at Blount Elementary,i wrote, “I will remember you forever. Happy birthday.” 

“To the woman who said ‘No!,'” wrote Jeonghu Yang, a 4th grader at Forest Avenue Elementary. “I celebrate your birthday! I appreciate you for opposing segregation in 1956. Because of you, segregation started to end…”  

“Everyone has a different view of the world, but we will all walk with you,” wrote Junhu Yang, a third grader at Forest Avenue. 

“Your courage and sacrifice made the present more beautiful,” wrote Junwoo Cho, a 5th grader at Forest Avenue. “I wish you a wonderful 108th birthday. All of us will remember your actions and your name.” 

Three winners from the card submissions will be announced by the city, one in each of the following categories: Grades K-6 Traditional, Grades 7-12 Traditional, and Digital Entries – Ages 13-18 Years Old.

Awards include a cash prize of $100, a ride on the Rosa Parks bus, and a tour of the Rosa Parks Museum. Entries will be displayed through February at Montgomery Plaza near the Rosa Parks statue.

The cards will be displayed through February at Montgomery Plaza near the Rosa Parks statue. 

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery says happy 108th to Rosa Parks with cards, cupcakes and museum tours

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