Rosa Parks

In honor of Black History Month, The Cardinal will feature prominent and/or historical Black Americans, living or dead, who have worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes who deserve recognition, but all have made contributions to make society a better place.

Andrea Avila, Staff Writer

February 20, 2026

Rosa Parks was an outstanding woman who stood up for herself and for those who were oppressed in the 1950’s. She was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee Alabama and passed away at the age of 92 on October 24, 2005, in Detroit Michigan.

Rosa Parks is a popular figure due to her refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus which defied the Jim Crow Laws that resulted in her arrest. This simple action sparked a boycott against the Montgomery bus and this action was the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks brought a remarkable change in the history of the United States and stood out as an example to the rest of the African American community to stand up for their rights and protection.

Her strengths as an activist brought great contributions to her community and she continued to fight for the inequality and racism that people have brought to her and many others. Her fight brought many things upon her and it showed as a power of resistance to those who were protesting against her actions. She served as an example to many that you can protest and fight against the discrimination that is brought upon you. Her grand work brought many people such as Martin Luther King Jr. to continue fighting for the discrimination that was brought upon their community.

Parks was shown as an example for many people, and she also can be portrayed as a huge inspiration for those who are ordinary people or individuals who are black or a woman to continue with the fight for justice for all, because her remarking example shows what people can be nowadays.

Many can be inspired by her actions, and because of Rosa Parks, millions strived to be like her and helped other people of color to be welcomed and respected in today’s society.

About the Contributor

Andrea Avila, Staff Writer

Andrea Avila, also known as Arti by her friends, is a junior at Hoover High School. She was born on July 2 and loves the winter despite being born in the summer season. Her friends would describe her as caring and sweet and would do anything for her friends. She loves traveling outside the country and her most favorite places are Italy, Oaxaca, and Mexico City. She hopes to get into UCSD or SDSU after high school to get into a major that’ll get her into medical school! She aspires to be a pediatrician or a dermatologist one day and help many patients in the future. She loves to bake and learn new recipes, currently she enjoys making cookies, cake, and banana bread! Throughout her time at Hoover, she has met various students and teachers that she thankfully has gotten close to. Despite constantly complaining about being at school, they continue to look forward to going and being with her friends. Andrea loves having her friends around her side but also enjoys the peace and quiet when she is alone. She thinks that having a tranquil life is important in order to not stress out. Andrea hopes to make a change to the future by helping many future patients who are feeling ill. The feeling of helping those who are in need is a very special feeling that contributes to her community by making everyone feel great. She also believes that standing up for those who are oppressed nowadays is important, with how this world currently is she believes that everyone needs to put in their part and defend those who are minorities and ones that are being attacked. Everyone can make a change and help those who are in need, and it’s something that Andrea will stand by with.