Inspiring Leadership : Rosa Parks , a model

« she remain seated to enable us to stand ». these words are from Rev Jesse Jackson. He is talking about Rosa Parks who on December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give her seat in the bus to a white man as required by a city ordinance. She was arrested and fined 15 dollars.

The bus incident became the kick off point for the civil rights movement against legal segregation in the United States. Her courage inspired, motivated and mobilised the black American population to fight together for their rights. It led to the “formation of the Montgomery Improvement Association, led by the young pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”. And after one of year of protestation, the US Supreme Court put an end to legal segregation through out the United States of America.

This is how an unknown seamstress in Montgomery changed the conditions of black Americans in the United States of America. As weapons to stand against this racial discrimination she had only her courage and her conviction: “…It was more a matter of trying to challenge the powers that be and to let it be known that we did not wish to continue being second-class citizens."

Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005 at the age of 92 and “…her casket was placed in the rotunda of the United States Capitol for two days, so the nation could pay its respects to the woman whose courage had changed the lives of so many. She was the first woman in American history to lie in state at the Capitol, an honour usually reserved for Presidents of the United States.”

When I came across Rosa Parks biography, I was so impressed by this woman courage, humility and achievement; so little and so great. I could not stand not sharing it with my friends. Above, I did share the story. Let me below also share some questions inspired by this story.

How often do we face discrimination in our life? How often do we create discrimination? How many times have we contributed to maintain discrimination in the society? How many times have we accepted to be second class citizens? How often do we refuse to sacrifice part of our personal interest for a giant benefit for the community? How many times have we undermined our capacities to create positive change in people life and in our communities?

Dear readers and JCI members, at the beginning of this year I can only wish you to be a Rosa Parks at least once during the next 365 days.

I would like to end this new year message with this Rosa Parks idea of happiness : “I don't think there is any such thing as complete happiness.[…] I think when you say you're happy, you have everything that you need and everything that you want, and nothing more to wish for. I haven't reached that stage yet.”

Luc Foleu