I knew someone had to take the first step. So I made up my mind not to move.

Every day before supper and before we went to services on Sundays. My grandmother would read the Bible to me, and my grandfather would pray. We even had devotions before going to pick cotton in the fields. Prayer and the Bible, became a part of my everyday thoughts and beliefs. I learned to put my trust in God and to seek Him as my strength.

I believe there is only one race - the human race.

I want to be treated like a human being.

Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today's mighty oak is yesterday's nut that held its ground.

It was not pre-arranged. It just happened that the driver made a demand and I just didn't feel like obeying his demand. I was quite tired after spending a full day working.

My resisting being mistreated on the bus did not begin with that particular arrest…I did a lot of walking in Montgomery.