More than 40 BGSU students, faculty and staff traveled to Detroit early yesterday morning to pay tribute to civil rights movement forerunner Rosa Parks, age 92, who passed away Oct. 24 in her Detroit apartment.
Hundreds of visitors wrapped around the perimeter of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to pay tribute to Parks from 6 a.m. yesterday until 5 a.m. today.
A three-hour funeral service will be held for Parks at 11 a.m. today at Greater Grace Temple Church in Detroit, who’ll be buried in Detroit’s Woodlawn Cemetery.
Parks was one of the initiators of the civil rights movement, best known for refusing to give up her seat on an Alabama bus to a white man Dec. 1, 1955.
Parks’ arrest and fine of $14 prompted a 381-day boycott of the Alabama bus system, organized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In a somber tribute, BGSU visitors paused by Parks’ open casket, seeing a small frail woman dressed in a delicate white lace blouse and a black cap – the uniform of an African Methodist Episcopal Church deaconess.
“I think that the thing that strikes you is that somebody so small could have that huge an impact,” said Steve Kendall, director of the Student Technology Center.
Being in Parks’ presence was a visual symbol of the nation’s past for some.
“It’s a powerful reminder of where we’ve been, how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go,” said Chris Young, pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bowling Green.
Parks was thought of as a national hero for other BGSU visitors.
“It’s really overwhelming to be here with an American icon – she’s really inspiring,” said Sylvia Chandler, personnel technician in the Department of Human Resources. “It’s amazing to me that she did what she did and what came after that, once that movement started.”
Inside the museum, visitors were instantly hit by the impact of large memorial photos of Parks and floral wreaths from the U.S. government.
While gospel music played softly in the background, two guards dressed in white watched over her casket.
Meeting Parks would have been an experience in itself, said Michael Lambert, freshman, from VISION.
“She obviously meant a lot to a lot of people,” he said. “It’s amazing that someone who was so celebrated in life is gone. She was one of our icons.”
Other University students were left with few words.
“I don’t even know what to say,” said Cassandra Mt. Castle, junior, and community outreach chair for Organization for Women’s Issues. “It’s really amazing to see how many people came to see her and show support.”
Outside the museum was parked a white hearse, and beside it a man played somber notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” as visitors departed from the building.
Describing the day as powerful, some in attendance were left wanting to take their experience back to BG.
“I think a commitment to remember her and to carry on what she and others started,” Young said.
Others left re-evaluating their commitment to keep the movement alive, like Sidney Childs, director of student support services in Student Life.
“Am I doing everything that I can do?” he said.The idea to send University representatives to the tribute came after reading about the services to be held in Detroit, said Sandra MacNevin, director of the University Engagement Initiative.
With President Ribeau’s support, the trip was organized with a variety of student and staff constituents invited to represent the University.
“People didn’t hesitate, they wanted to be there,” MacNiven said. “I think that says a lot about our campus.”
Those in attendance were grateful for the chance to attend the tribute.
“I’m very happy that the University took the initiative to support this venture for this,” Chandler said.
Previous to the tribute in Detroit, a memorial service for Parks was held in Montgomery, Ala. Parks’ memorial service also went through Washington, D.C., this past weekend.
Parks is the first woman and civilian to lie in the Capitol Rotunda – normally reserved for heads of state who’ve passed away.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
