Though she will remain immortal in American history, the passing of civil rights activist Rosa Parks marks the end of an epic era.

Parks died in her home Monday at age 92, laying to rest her legacy as the seamstress who took a stand by sitting.

Parks was 42 years old when she was arrested in Montgomery, Ala. in 1955 for refusing to relinquish her seat on a bus to a white man. After being humiliated, Parks was jailed and sentenced during a 30-minute trial to pay a $14 fine.

“I did not get on the bus to be arrested,” Parks said. “I got on the bus to go home.”

Her incarceration was a direct result of the Supreme Court ruling Plessy v. Ferguson, in which African Americans were ruled to be “separate but equal,” in turn legalizing segregation and discrimination.

Parks’ act inspired the infamous Montgomery Bus Boycott, initiated by Martin Luther King Jr., in an attempt to end public segregation by depriving the bus system of necessary funds.

Death will leave lasting mark

“A lot of people think that Rosa Parks was this quiet docile woman, but really she epitomized the spirit of an individual and how [that spirit] can lead to mass movement and this refusal to acquiesce to the status quo,” said assistant professor Alfred Tatum.

Tatum said Parks’ death will have an impact on today’s youth.

“One of America’s golden leaves has fallen … A part of our history will be gone forever,” Tatum said.

Walter Owens, an assistant professor in coaching, has met Parks a few times and remains enthralled with her personality and dedication, so much that he has begun a movement to establish a national holiday in her honor.

“I think [her legacy] will slip away if we don’t memorialize her in some way … I’ve heard that Rosa and Mother Teresa were the two icons and I agree,” Owens said.

Legacy begs responsibility

Todd Yeary, assistant director for the Center of Black Studies, said Parks deserves a tribute.

“We need to apply her lesson to our own lives, and in some ways that’s how I think we have not honored Rosa Parks. We have devalued what she did.”

Though today’s citizens have a high standard to meet in continuing the journey toward complete equality, Rosa entrusted us with the responsibility of carrying the buck.

“I am leaving this legacy to all of you … to bring peace, justice, equality, love and a fulfillment of what our lives should be,” Parks once said. “Without vision, the people will perish and without courage and inspiration, dreams will die – the dream of freedom and peace.”