“The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute accepts people of any race. We don’t discriminate against anyone. We teach people to reach their highest potential. I set examples by the way I lead my life.”
- February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005
- American
- Civil Rights Activist, Symbol of the Montgomery Bus Boycott
table of contents
Quote
“The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute accepts people of any race. We don’t discriminate against anyone. We teach people to reach their highest potential. I set examples by the way I lead my life.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Rosa Parks’ deep commitment to equality, education, and moral leadership. Through the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute, she extended her civil rights legacy beyond the bus boycott to the empowerment of future generations. By affirming that people of any race are welcome, Parks reinforced the core principle of inclusiveness that had defined her life’s work.
The historical context here is significant. Rosa Parks is best known for her refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955—a pivotal act that catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement. Decades later, this statement about the Institute shows how she continued her fight for justice through nonviolent means and mentorship. Her leadership was not just in protest but in how she lived her life and lifted others, especially youth from disadvantaged communities.
In a modern setting, her words continue to resonate. The idea of teaching people to reach their highest potential regardless of background is central to many educational and leadership initiatives today. Her example shows that social change is not only achieved through resistance but also through the steady, consistent modeling of ethical behavior, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
