American Civil Rights pioneer Claudette Colvin, who helped kick-off the movement by refusing to give up her seat on a bus in 1955, died on Tuesday at the age of 86.Colvin was arrested as a 15-year-old in Montgomery, Alabama, for violating bus segregation ordinances. Her arrest occurred nine months before Rosa Parks did the same thing, according to the Claudette Colvin Legacy Foundation.
A spokesperson for the foundation told the Associated Press that Colvin died of natural causes in Texas.
“It is with profound sadness that the Claudette Colvin Foundation and family announce the passing of Claudette Colvin, a beloved mother, grandmother, and civil rights pioneer,” the foundation said in a statement. “She leaves behind a legacy of courage that helped change the course of American history.
“To us, she was more than a historical figure,” it continued. “She was the heart of our family, wise, resilient, and grounded in faith. We will remember her laughter, her sharp wit, and her unwavering belief in justice and human dignity.”
Colvin was one of four plaintiffs in a landmark lawsuit that outlawed racial segregation on Montgomery buses in 1956. Her death comes just over one month after Montgomery celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Bus Boycott.
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.
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