Black History Month Spotlight: Claudette Colvin
By: Ruth Katte
2/12/21
In honor of Black History Month, Glasgow students celebrate people who have impacted the world in which we live. Spotlight #3 is Claudette Colvin.
We all knew Rosa Parks, but do we know Claudette Colvin? On March 2nd, 1955 in Montgomery Alabama, just 9 months before Rosa Parks, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to give up her bus seat to a white person and was the first person to get arrested for it.
“I remember the white officers saying, ‘that’s the law, she gotta move’ and I just felt like this is my time to take a stand for justice.”
“The bus driver was trying to get me to move and I said ‘It’s my constitutional right! I’m not gonna move!’”
She was just taking a bus home from school on this fateful day that changed history. Claudette started the bus movement and after her, many more Americans stepped up and stood for change. Claudette Colvin was a bright teenager who made such a huge impact on history and should be recognized for it. We thank you for what you have done to impact our future.
Ruth "Katte" Tewodros is an 8th grader at Glasgow Middle School. She was born in Ethiopia, but has lived half of her life in Virginia.
This is her first year in journalism. She loves to play sports, participate in competitions, and try new things.
