Seventy years ago Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat on a Montgomery bus, an action that helped ignite the civil rights movement. On Dec. 1, North Texas paused to honor the impact of that moment.
DART joined State Representative Toni Rose and community leaders for a Rosa Parks Day program that reflected on how her act of resistance still guides conversations about transportation, equity and opportunity in North Texas.
A Local Leader Carrying Parks’ Legacy Forward
State Representative Rose, who represents House District 110 encompassing Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove and Balch Springs, has spent years advocating for equity and mobility justice. Her efforts led to the passage of House Bill 3481 in 2021, unanimously approved by state lawmakers, officially designating Dec. 1 as Rosa Parks Day in Texas.
“Rosa Parks’ courage showed us what it means to take a stand by staying seated,” Rose said during the ceremony. “Her legacy reminds us that transportation is not just about getting from one place to another — it’s about access, dignity and opportunity. I am honored to join DART in celebrating a woman whose actions continue to shape our path toward equality.”
A Bus That Honors A Movement
One of DART’s newest buses served as the focal point of the celebration. Part of a 70-vehicle fleet, the bus features a commemorative placard placed above the front seat, the same part of the bus where Parks made history seven decades ago. The design pays tribute to her refusal to surrender her seat in Montgomery, an act that ignited nationwide activism…