Final answer:
Rosa Parks inspired activism for civil rights through her refusal to give up her seat on a bus, which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement, demonstrating the power of non-violent resistance and community activism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rosa Parks and Her Impact
Rosa Parks left a lasting impression on many individuals, including civil rights leaders like John Lewis, due to her role in inspiring activism for civil rights. Her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus to a White passenger, resulting in her arrest on December 1, 1955, stands as a defining moment in the fight against segregation and racial injustice. Shortly after her arrest, a significant boycott of the Montgomery Bus System was organized, showing the power of community activism. This boycott led to Rosa Parks becoming an icon of the civil rights movement, which underpinned the philosophy and discipline of non-violence.
The successful Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted for 381 days and involved around 50,000 black individuals walking to work or school, displaying unparalleled unity and determination. The movement was backed by the leadership and solidarity of individuals such as E.D. Nixon and Martin Luther King Jr., and organizations like the NAACP and the Women's Political Council. The community support in the form of money and resources from around the country also played a significant role in the movement's success. Rosa Parks' quiet strength and unwavering resolve has continued to inspire generations to stand against inequality and to seek justice through peaceful protest.