Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist who became famous for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. Her act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which played a major role in ending racial segregation on public transportation. Here are 67 riddles about Rosa Parks and the events surrounding her stand against injustice, along with their answers.
Riddles about Rosa Parks’ Early Life
1. I was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1913. Who am I?
Answer: Rosa Parks
2. My mother was a teacher and my father a carpenter. I had a younger brother named Sylvester. What was my maiden name?
Answer: McCauley
3. I attended segregated schools in Pine Level, Alabama as a child. What type of schools did I go to?
Answer: Segregated schools
4. I dropped out of high school to care for my sick grandmother. What did I do instead of finishing high school?
Answer: Dropped out to care for my sick grandmother
5. Before starting the Montgomery Bus Boycott, I worked as a seamstress. What was my occupation?
Answer: A seamstress
6. I married Raymond Parks in 1932. He was a barber and activist in the NAACP. What was my husband’s name and occupation?
Answer: Raymond Parks, a barber and NAACP activist
7. My husband Raymond encouraged my activism and civil rights work. How did he support me?
Answer: By encouraging my activism and civil rights work
8. I served as secretary for the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP starting in 1943. What position did I hold with the NAACP?
Answer: Secretary for the Montgomery chapter
9. I attended the Highlander Folk School in 1955 to learn activism strategies. Where did I receive civil rights training?
Answer: The Highlander Folk School
10. Before starting the bus boycott, I was kicked off a bus in 1943 for entering through the front entrance. When did I have an earlier experience with bus discrimination?
Answer: 1943
Riddles about the Montgomery Bus Boycott
11. On December 1, 1955 I refused to give up my bus seat to a white man. What date did my famous act of civil disobedience occur?
Answer: December 1, 1955
12. I was riding bus number 2857 when I refused to give up my seat. What was the bus number?
Answer: 2857
13. The bus driver who demanded I give up my seat was James Blake. Who was the bus driver?
Answer: James Blake
14. I was arrested for disorderly conduct and violating segregation laws. What was I arrested for?
Answer: Disorderly conduct and violating segregation laws
15. E.D. Nixon posted my bail after I was arrested. Who helped pay for my release?
Answer: E.D. Nixon
16. The Montgomery Improvement Association was formed during my trial. What organization coordinated the bus boycott?
Answer: The Montgomery Improvement Association
17. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was elected president of the MIA. Who led the organization?
Answer: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
18. For 381 days, black bus riders refused to use public transportation. How long did the boycott last?
Answer: 381 days
19. Instead of riding the bus, boycotters organized carpools and walked. How did they get around?
Answer: Organized carpools and walked
20. Black taxi drivers charged boycotters the same 10 cent fare as the bus. How did taxi drivers support the boycott?
Answer: Charged only 10 cents like the bus fare
21. The boycott drew national attention and support from civil rights leaders. What did the boycott accomplish?
Answer: Drew national attention and support
22. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional in 1956. When was segregation on buses made illegal?
Answer: 1956 Supreme Court ruling
23. On December 20, 1956 I rode a desegregated bus for the first time. When did I take my famous ride on an integrated bus?
Answer: December 20, 1956
Riddles about Rosa Parks’ Later Activism
24. After the boycott, I lost my job and my husband was fired. What happened to my employment?
Answer: I lost my job
25. In 1957 I moved with my husband to Virginia after facing death threats. Where did we relocate to?
Answer: Virginia
26. I authored a book about my life called “Rosa Parks: My Story” in 1992. When did I publish my autobiography?
Answer: 1992
27. I co-founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development in 1987. What organization did I help start?
Answer: The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development
28. This organization provides leadership training for youth. What does the Institute I co-founded do?
Answer: Provides youth leadership training
29. I was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999 by President Clinton. What award did I receive?
Answer: The Congressional Gold Medal in 1999
30. When I died in 2005, I became the first woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda. What posthumous honor did I receive?
Answer: Lying in honor in the Capitol Rotunda
Riddles about the Impact of Rosa Parks’ Protest
31. My refusal to give up my bus seat sparked a major civil rights protest. How did my act of defiance make an impact?
Answer: Sparked a major civil rights protest
32. The bus boycott I involuntarily started lasted over a year. How long did the protest that began with my action last?
Answer: Over a year
33. My act of civil disobedience inspired future protests against segregation. How did my protest influence others?
Answer: Inspired future protests against segregation
34. The boycott I sparked brought Martin Luther King, Jr. into prominence. How did it impact him?
Answer: Brought Martin Luther King, Jr. into prominence
35. My refusal to move helped inspire youth activism in the civil rights movement. Who did it inspire?
Answer: Youth activism
36. The day I was arrested, the black community united behind my act. How did people initially respond?
Answer: United behind my act
37. Jo Ann Gibson Robinson mimeographed flyers spreading word of my arrest. Who helped publicize my arrest?
Answer: Jo Ann Gibson Robinson
38. E.D. Nixon called for a boycott of the bus company after my jailing. Who proposed the boycott?
Answer: E.D. Nixon
39. The city’s bus revenue fell as the boycott continued for over a year. How did the boycott impact the bus system?
Answer: Bus revenue fell significantly
40. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a landmark victory against segregation. How was it ultimately viewed?
Answer: A landmark civil rights victory
Riddles about Rosa Parks’ Significance and Legacy
41. I am known as the Mother of the Freedom Movement. What am I best known as?
Answer: The Mother of the Freedom Movement
42. I am considered one of the most influential activists of the 20th century. How am I recognized?
Answer: One of the most influential 20th century activists
43. My act of defiance inspires stands against injustice. What does my protest exemplify?
Answer: Inspiring stands against injustice
44. I proved ordinary people can make a difference through protest. What did my actions demonstrate?
Answer: Ordinary people can make a difference
45. The Rosa Parks Library and Museum opened in 2000 in Montgomery. What was established to honor my legacy?
Answer: The Rosa Parks Library and Museum
46. A statue of me was erected in National Statuary Hall in 2013. Where is a statue of me displayed?
Answer: National Statuary Hall
47. President Obama called me the first lady of civil rights. What title did he give me?
Answer: The first lady of civil rights
48. February 4, my birthday, is celebrated as Rosa Parks Day in California. What holiday honors me?
Answer: Rosa Parks Day
49. I wrote Quiet Strength to share my story and wisdom. What was the title of my memoir?
Answer: Quiet Strength
50. As an American icon, I represent courage in the face of injustice. Why am I an icon?
Answer: I represent courage against injustice
Riddles about Rosa Parks’ Personality and Views
51. I once said, “Memories of our lives…point the way to the future.” What did I say about memories?
Answer: They point the way to the future
52. I believed you must never be fearful about what you are doing. What was my view regarding fear?
Answer: Never be fearful about what you are doing
53. When asked why I wouldn’t move on the bus, I said, “I was tired of giving in.” How did I explain my defiance?
Answer: I was tired of giving in
54. I said, “Each person must live their life as a model for others.” What was my advice on living?
Answer: Live your life as a model for others
55. Even in old age, I kept a busy schedule of activism. How did I spend my later years?
Answer: Remained active in activism
56. I believed in living with dignity and self-respect. What were my core values in life?
Answer: Dignity and self-respect
57. I was known for a gentle disposition in pursuing justice. How was my personality described?
Answer: Gentle disposition while pursuing justice
58. Though famous, I remained humble throughout my life. How did I handle fame?
Answer: Remained humble
59. I embraced both Christian faith and activism. How did I connect my beliefs?
Answer: Through my Christian faith and activism
60. I felt God’s protection during the bus boycott and jail time. How did faith guide me?
Answer: I felt God’s protection during challenging times
Riddles about Rosa Parks’ Appearance and Details
61. I stood just over 5 feet tall and weighed less than 100 pounds. How would you describe my size?
Answer: Small stature, just over 5 feet and under 100 pounds
62. I had brown eyes that stared down injustice. What did my eyes look like?
Answer: Brown
63. My hair was dark in my youth but grey in old age. How did my hair change over time?
Answer: Dark in youth, grey in old age
64. I favored sensible dresses and practical shoes. How would you describe my style?
Answer: Sensible dresses and practical shoes
65. I enjoyed gardening and needlework in my free time. What were my hobbies?
Answer: Gardening and needlework
66. I didn’t have children of my own, but loved being an aunt. What can you say about my family status?
Answer: Had no children but enjoyed being an aunt
67. I lived to be 92 years old when I died in 2005. How long was my lifespan?
Answer: Lived to be 92 years old
Conclusion
Rosa Parks was a humble yet courageous woman whose refusal to tolerate injustice sparked a movement that changed America. Her strength and dignity in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration for all those working for human rights. She will be remembered both for her pivotal role in history and for her commitment to equality and justice throughout her long life.
