Claudette Colvin, a civil rights pioneer whose refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus helped lay the groundwork for the modern civil rights movement, has died at the age of 86. Her passing was confirmed by the Claudette Colvin Legacy Foundation, which noted she died of natural causes in Texas.
Colvin was only 15 when she was arrested on March 2, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, after a bus driver reported that two Black girls were sitting near two white women in violation of segregation laws. While one of the girls moved to the back of the bus, Colvin remained seated. “People ask me why I refused to move, and I say history had me glued to the seat,” Colvin remarked in a later interview.
Follow us on X. Follow us on Instagram. Follow us on Facebook.
Her arrest occurred months before Rosa Parks’ more widely known protest and preceded the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to national prominence. Colvin later became one of four Black women plaintiffs in the landmark case that ultimately ended bus segregation, helping dismantle institutionalized racial discrimination on public transportation.
Trump to Cut Federal Funding to Sanctuary Cities Over Immigration Starting February 1st
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed highlighted Colvin’s contribution, noting her actions “helped lay the legal and moral foundation for the movement that would change America” and emphasizing that her courage “was too often overlooked.” The foundation described her as a figure of resilience and faith whose legacy of bravery had a lasting impact on American history.
Later in life, Colvin pursued a career as a nurse in New York, remaining committed to public service and civil rights advocacy. Her story, though long overshadowed, represents an early and significant challenge to racial segregation and continues to inspire generations seeking justice and equality.
Wegovy Obesity Pill Now Available in U.S. Pharmacies
For more metro, national, and international news stories, visit newyorkvoicenews.com.
