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Quiet Strength: The Faith, the Hope, and the Heart of a Woman Who Changed a Nation
The author shares her thoughts about her life, faith, and values
93 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
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About the author
Rosa Parks
34 books121 followersRosa Louise McCauley Parks was an African American civil rights activist whom the U.S. Congress later called the "Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement."
On December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks, age 42, refused to obey bus driver James Blake's order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. Her action was not the first of its kind: Irene Morgan, in 1946, and Sarah Louise Keys, in 1955, had won rulings before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Interstate Commerce Commission respectively in the area of interstate bus travel. Nine months before Parks refused to give up her seat, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to move from her seat on the same bus system. But unlike these previous individual actions of civil disobedience, Parks's action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Parks's act of defiance became an important symbol of the modern Civil Rights Movement and Parks became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation. She organized and collaborated with civil rights leaders, including boycott leader Martin Luther King, Jr., helping to launch him to national prominence in the civil rights movement.
At the time of her action, Parks was secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and had recently attended the Highlander Folk School, a Tennessee center for workers' rights and racial equality. Nonetheless, she took her action as a private citizen "tired of giving in". Although widely honored in later years for her action, she also suffered for it, losing her job as a seamstress in a local department store. Eventually, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she found similar work. From 1965 to 1988 she served as secretary and receptionist to African-American U.S. Representative John Conyers. After retirement from this position, she wrote an autobiography and lived a largely private life in Detroit. In her final years she suffered from dementia and became embroiled in a lawsuit filed on her behalf against American hip-hop duo OutKast.
Parks eventually received many honors ranging from the 1979 Spingarn Medal to the Congressional Gold Medal, a posthumous statue in the United States Capitol's National Statuary Hall. Her death in 2005 was a major story in the United States' leading newspapers. She was granted the posthumous honor of lying in honor at the Capitol Rotunda.
On December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks, age 42, refused to obey bus driver James Blake's order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. Her action was not the first of its kind: Irene Morgan, in 1946, and Sarah Louise Keys, in 1955, had won rulings before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Interstate Commerce Commission respectively in the area of interstate bus travel. Nine months before Parks refused to give up her seat, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to move from her seat on the same bus system. But unlike these previous individual actions of civil disobedience, Parks's action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Parks's act of defiance became an important symbol of the modern Civil Rights Movement and Parks became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation. She organized and collaborated with civil rights leaders, including boycott leader Martin Luther King, Jr., helping to launch him to national prominence in the civil rights movement.
At the time of her action, Parks was secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and had recently attended the Highlander Folk School, a Tennessee center for workers' rights and racial equality. Nonetheless, she took her action as a private citizen "tired of giving in". Although widely honored in later years for her action, she also suffered for it, losing her job as a seamstress in a local department store. Eventually, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she found similar work. From 1965 to 1988 she served as secretary and receptionist to African-American U.S. Representative John Conyers. After retirement from this position, she wrote an autobiography and lived a largely private life in Detroit. In her final years she suffered from dementia and became embroiled in a lawsuit filed on her behalf against American hip-hop duo OutKast.
Parks eventually received many honors ranging from the 1979 Spingarn Medal to the Congressional Gold Medal, a posthumous statue in the United States Capitol's National Statuary Hall. Her death in 2005 was a major story in the United States' leading newspapers. She was granted the posthumous honor of lying in honor at the Capitol Rotunda.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 14, 2014
This is such a wonderful book, from Ms Park's stand point. I learnt things about her that I never was taught in school. I was taught that she was a colored lady that feet hurt so she didn't give up her seat on a bus to a white man. That wasn't the issue at all...she was a WOMAN that felt that she shouldn't have to give up her seat to a MAN... that she was tired, tired of being unequal to others, tired of trying to 'talk' about equality but no one doing anything about it. So on that day she used her Faith and it helped her through being arrested and charged (which later was overturned and she didn't have to pay a fine) but it started the boycott movement that after watching the movie about Megar Evers that Whoopi Goldberg does a WONDERFUL job in, I though that only lasted a few days but in reality lasted for over a year! Ms Parks refers to her Faith and her upbringing... and how our children are our future and how we should teach them up the way they should be. Can't say enough about this book. It's written in small paragraphs so if you don't have time to sit and read it all at once you can read a few paragraphs and just savor what she is saying. This is a book to read if you are a child in school needing to write an essay on Rosa Parks or if your an adult that never was truly taught about the wonderful lady this person was.
February 9, 2015
This book was a gift from a friend and I was so happy to read this month, Black History Month. It's an excellent novella that explores the details of Civil Rights from Rosa Parks point of view. It also depicts her hope for the future. While reading this little book which details the thoughts, feelings, actions of Rosa Parks, I wondered if I would or could have been as strong she and others who sacrificed, boycotted, marched, and persevered for Civil Rights. The hardship of fighting back was the first step to refusing inequality and making a significant change for African-Americans. What people can do when they put the collectivity in motion! This novella is separated into twelve sections and delves deep into the realities of living and trying to survive for African-Americans through segregation. Each section begins with a quote from the Bible that describes the meaning of the section, with a picture of Rosa Parks during another important part of her life. It also puts to rest a lot of the supposed truths around what Rosa Parks was thinking and how she felt. This is a book worth picking up.
June 13, 2022
Since learning about the Montgomery Industrial School for Girls and also learning that Rosa Parks was educated there, I decided I didn't know enough about Rosa Parks so I am doing something about that fact. This is a powerful little volume that sums up Mrs. Parks' views on life, liberty, and the pursuit of justice. She is one impressive lady and I am glad to get to know her better. I will offer a couple of quotes that seem to sum up her character well and then her list of seven things she thinks we need to teaching our youth.
"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. When I sat down on the bus the day I was arrested, I was thinking of going home. I had made up my mind quickly about what it was that I had to do, what I felt was right to do. I did not think of being physically tired or fearful. After so many years of oppression and being a victim of the mistreatment that my people had suffered, not give up my seat - and whatever I had to face after not giving it up - was not important. I did not feel any fear sitting in the seat I was sitting in. All I felt was tired. Tired of being pushed around. Tired of seeing the bad treatment and disrespect of children, women, and men just because of the color of their skin. Tired of the Jim Crow laws. Tired of being oppressed. I was just plain tired. I felt the Lord would give me the strength to endure whatever I had to face. God did away with all my fear. It was time for someone to stand up - or in my case, sit down. I refused to move."
"I do not like to form in my mind something I do not have any proof of."
Seven key areas to use when dealing with youth:
1. Treating all youth with love and respect, setting good examples for them, supporting social behavior and correcting negative behavior.
2. Helping all young people to know one another as persons and to respect and care about one another.
3. Teaching values by using the rich content of history, literature, and the Bible.
4. Showing young people how to develop the ability to work hard and to do the best that they can do.
5. Encouraging youth to work together so they can see the value of cooperating with others for a common good.
6. Guiding young people in experiences that show them how to solve problems without conflict and force.
7. Providing opportunities for youth to perform school, home, and community services.
"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. When I sat down on the bus the day I was arrested, I was thinking of going home. I had made up my mind quickly about what it was that I had to do, what I felt was right to do. I did not think of being physically tired or fearful. After so many years of oppression and being a victim of the mistreatment that my people had suffered, not give up my seat - and whatever I had to face after not giving it up - was not important. I did not feel any fear sitting in the seat I was sitting in. All I felt was tired. Tired of being pushed around. Tired of seeing the bad treatment and disrespect of children, women, and men just because of the color of their skin. Tired of the Jim Crow laws. Tired of being oppressed. I was just plain tired. I felt the Lord would give me the strength to endure whatever I had to face. God did away with all my fear. It was time for someone to stand up - or in my case, sit down. I refused to move."
"I do not like to form in my mind something I do not have any proof of."
Seven key areas to use when dealing with youth:
1. Treating all youth with love and respect, setting good examples for them, supporting social behavior and correcting negative behavior.
2. Helping all young people to know one another as persons and to respect and care about one another.
3. Teaching values by using the rich content of history, literature, and the Bible.
4. Showing young people how to develop the ability to work hard and to do the best that they can do.
5. Encouraging youth to work together so they can see the value of cooperating with others for a common good.
6. Guiding young people in experiences that show them how to solve problems without conflict and force.
7. Providing opportunities for youth to perform school, home, and community services.
January 5, 2020
short, easy read. She was an average person that took an extraordinary stand. Neat to see her story and understand what was going through her mind. She was an amazing Christian with strong convictions that changed to world.
April 1, 2016
Great insight into the thinking and life of Mrs. Rosa Parks.
October 16, 2024
Interesting lessons learned. Wanted to hear more details about her life though.
March 15, 2025
A short read with poignant words for every human no matter age. May we never forget the quiet strength that many have had to make our world a better place for others.
July 4, 2020
A small book of reflections from Rosa Parks, filled with insights. I learned quite a bit about her and her civil rights work; not only for blacks, but for all of humanity. Her life was steeped in devotion to God and serving Him according to the Bible's direction. She gained peace, comfort and strength through reading the Bible and being obedient to Him. Mrs. Parks believed He wanted her strength to go towards bettering humanity by being part of the movement to help all people, no matter color or gender, gain respect, dignity and treatment of others as you would want to be treated.
"Love, not fear, must be our guide."
Amen!
Every part of this book is as meaningful today as it was back in 1955, 1965, 1985 and 2005. One day.....One day.... Equality will be closer.
"Love, not fear, must be our guide."
Amen!
Every part of this book is as meaningful today as it was back in 1955, 1965, 1985 and 2005. One day.....One day.... Equality will be closer.
February 4, 2019
Part auto-biography, part devotional, part inspirational quote book, part advertisement for the foundation Parks co-founded. All of these things work as a good snippet into the life of one of the Civil Rights Movement's leading figures but feel disjointed enough to leave the reader wanting more. Not a bad read, just not as satisfying as it could be.
May 3, 2018
What a great woman! brought tears to my eyes. Even though she repeats herself in several places, it's better to have her own words on various subjects. Good little book to keep our hearts open to the injustices in this country.
July 21, 2013
This was a short book of reflections by Rosa Parks. Though interesting, it did not satisfy my desire to understand her much better. I had hoped for more of a memoir.
August 14, 2020
In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15
I read this sweet little book in an hour or two one afternoon. It's essentially a series of paragraphs and brief reflections by the legendary Rosa Parks, most of which were fascinating and insightful (although others were repetitive and not as fascinating).
I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.
She reflects on that day on the bus, surprising me with her correction of what I'd learned in school: it wasn't that her feet were tired from her day's work, but that her spirit was truly tired of being dishonored and disregarded as a black person. And so she stayed in her seat. I didn't realize that she and her husband were both already involved in the Civil Rights movement (what there was of it at that time, anyways), and that she continued to be an outspoken activist and educator for her entire life.
"If you will protest courageously and yet with dignity and Christian love, when the history books are written in future generations, the historians will have to pause and say: there lived a great people - a black people - who injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Her appreciation for God and family shines through. Her mother and grandmothers were powerful influences on her life, and one of the things that struck me in her account was that she was taught at a young age that people needed to respect BOTH themselves and others. Her values and her Biblical faith were instilled early in life, and her quiet strength clearly came from her upbringing and her relationship with her God.
My mother... taught me not to judge people by the amount of money they had or the kind of house they lived in or the clothes they wore. People should be judged, she told me, by the respect they have for themselves and others. Her advice helped me to do the hard things that I had to do later in life.
This is an important book, if you want to know a little bit more than what your history lessons told you about this amazing woman.
I read this sweet little book in an hour or two one afternoon. It's essentially a series of paragraphs and brief reflections by the legendary Rosa Parks, most of which were fascinating and insightful (although others were repetitive and not as fascinating).
I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.
She reflects on that day on the bus, surprising me with her correction of what I'd learned in school: it wasn't that her feet were tired from her day's work, but that her spirit was truly tired of being dishonored and disregarded as a black person. And so she stayed in her seat. I didn't realize that she and her husband were both already involved in the Civil Rights movement (what there was of it at that time, anyways), and that she continued to be an outspoken activist and educator for her entire life.
"If you will protest courageously and yet with dignity and Christian love, when the history books are written in future generations, the historians will have to pause and say: there lived a great people - a black people - who injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Her appreciation for God and family shines through. Her mother and grandmothers were powerful influences on her life, and one of the things that struck me in her account was that she was taught at a young age that people needed to respect BOTH themselves and others. Her values and her Biblical faith were instilled early in life, and her quiet strength clearly came from her upbringing and her relationship with her God.
My mother... taught me not to judge people by the amount of money they had or the kind of house they lived in or the clothes they wore. People should be judged, she told me, by the respect they have for themselves and others. Her advice helped me to do the hard things that I had to do later in life.
This is an important book, if you want to know a little bit more than what your history lessons told you about this amazing woman.
February 5, 2021
I really wanted to like this book, because it’s a book about Rosa Parks! Written by Rosa Parks! Am I really going to give her anything less than all the stars available?
Well. Yes.
And honestly, I probably would’ve only given two stars, except it’s Rosa Parks.
One of the things that’s so easy to love about Rosa Parks is that she was so chill, so down to earth, so humble. About EVERYTHING. She seems like someone I would enjoy being around.
Unfortunately, super humble and chill doesn’t necessarily translate into a gripping story, and I think that my expectations of what this book would be (a retelling of her life and work, in her own words) is part if why this book fell flat for me.
What this actually is, is a collection of thoughts and memories, given to the reader in anywhere from one to five paragraph sections, with an average of two paragraphs per thought. This isn’t a bad thing, it just wasn’t what I expected.
I did like that I learned that the whole “her feet were tired” thing was untrue. As Rosa says, her soul was tired, but her feet were fine. ❤️
Well. Yes.
And honestly, I probably would’ve only given two stars, except it’s Rosa Parks.
One of the things that’s so easy to love about Rosa Parks is that she was so chill, so down to earth, so humble. About EVERYTHING. She seems like someone I would enjoy being around.
Unfortunately, super humble and chill doesn’t necessarily translate into a gripping story, and I think that my expectations of what this book would be (a retelling of her life and work, in her own words) is part if why this book fell flat for me.
What this actually is, is a collection of thoughts and memories, given to the reader in anywhere from one to five paragraph sections, with an average of two paragraphs per thought. This isn’t a bad thing, it just wasn’t what I expected.
I did like that I learned that the whole “her feet were tired” thing was untrue. As Rosa says, her soul was tired, but her feet were fine. ❤️
July 1, 2020
Quiet Strength: Isaiah 30:15 New International Version (NIV)
15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it."
A very short but impactful book. This book tells of the legacy of Rosa Parks and her fight for justice and equality. I wonder what Mrs. Parks would have to say about what is going on in the world today. One of Mrs. Park's biggest dreams was to be able to see everyone living together in peace, harmony, and love and not dwelling on the horrors of the past. I truly don't believe this will come to past especially the world that we are living in today. For every 2 steps forward we take 4 steps backward.
15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it."
A very short but impactful book. This book tells of the legacy of Rosa Parks and her fight for justice and equality. I wonder what Mrs. Parks would have to say about what is going on in the world today. One of Mrs. Park's biggest dreams was to be able to see everyone living together in peace, harmony, and love and not dwelling on the horrors of the past. I truly don't believe this will come to past especially the world that we are living in today. For every 2 steps forward we take 4 steps backward.
July 31, 2017
A quick short read written by Rosa Parks herself. She talks about her values and hopes for the future. How even though there are issues today, we can overcome them by sticking together, supporting education for children and youth, and above all, pursuing a non-violent approach to standing up for what is right.
March 5, 2018
This is a short, quick read. It's not just Rosa Park's account of that historic day she kept her seat on the bus. The focus is the Source of Mrs. Parks' strength- her faith in Jesus Christ. So often, as students in school, we don't hear the faith stories of our heroes. This little book by Rosa Parks, with the help of Gregory J. Reed, gives a more complete, and richer story.
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September 29, 2022This book is about Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa wrote the book to educate people on what had happened during the years of the Civil Rights Movement. The book is filled with facts about Rosa, her life, and her life during the Civil Rights Movement.
October 27, 2023
I am glad I took the time for this! I really love the firsthand account, as well as the strength, hope, and confidence RosaParks holds for the future. This is straightforward and simple to read, but very profound.
January 15, 2025
I loved reading about the person of Rosa Parks and hearing her story from her own lips. You can see how her faith in God gave her the strength to stand up for these social injustices. She really did have quiet strength about her, and she used it to change the nation!
July 19, 2018
I enjoyed this personal collection of memories and exhortations from Rosa Parks. May her tribe increase.
Want to read
September 26, 2019On June 15, 1999, Mrs. Rosa Parks was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor a tribute to the power of one ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2020
A great quote-is book of her faith throughout her life.
Read
February 13, 2020I love how she included verses and her faith and background in the story. just beautiful.
January 13, 2021
Could probably use her guidance and leadership today. Five stars just for who she was and the life she lived.
September 15, 2021
Very inspirational
November 16, 2021
I listened to the audiobook. Rosa sounded like such a sweet woman that exudes quiet strength. I was thankful to come across this book and to hear these stories from her account.
March 10, 2023
bite sized insights from a inspiring woman
August 15, 2023
This is a collection of “essays” or short thoughts from Rosa Parks, and although it was well done it was not what I was expecting.
Read
January 19, 2024This is a juvenile book, but Iwanted to read it to learn more about Rosa Parks. She was indeed a very brave woman. I did learn more about her life and her struggles.
May 28, 2012
"I learned to put my trust in God and to see Him as my strength. Long ago I set my mind to be a free person and not to give in to fear. I always felt that it was my right to defend myself if I could. I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear." - Rosa Parks
Rosa teaches us a lesson that goes well beyond the issue of civil rights - it's a matter of human rights and respect. She also teaches us that if we belive in something we should stand up for it without fear.
Rosa teaches us a lesson that goes well beyond the issue of civil rights - it's a matter of human rights and respect. She also teaches us that if we belive in something we should stand up for it without fear.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews