Congresswoman Beatty Hosts Community Leaders Forum in Honor of Rosa Parks
Congresswoman Beatty Hosts Community Leaders Forum in Honor of Rosa Parks
Beatty led effort to make Buckeye State first in the nation to recognize "Rosa Parks Day"
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) held her Community Leaders Forum in Honor of Rosa Parks, "The Power of One: We Are Walking In It." The Forum recognizes the courage and legacy of "the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement," and provides an important venue to discuss the power of diversity, inclusion, community, and their importance to the legislative work of the 115th Congress. Special guests Jeanne Theoharis, author of The Rebellious Life of Rosa Parks, Emille Williams, Interim President and CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and Dr. Michael Drake, President of The Ohio State University, joined Beatty at the Forum held at the Fawcett Event Center Auditorium.
"62 years ago, Rosa Parks—by refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery city bus—showed how the ‘Power of One' individual can forever change history," Beatty said. "Rosa Parks is an inspiration to us all." Beatty continued, "That is why it is our collective responsibility to preserve and advance her rich legacy—because each of us is ‘walking in it' every day."
Beatty's Community Leaders Forum coincides with the State of Ohio's annual observance of "Rosa Parks Day," a statewide tribute first conceived by then-State Representative Joyce Beatty. In 2005, Beatty wrote, advocated and won unanimous support for a bill to designate December 1st as "Rosa Parks Day" in the Buckeye State. Her piece of legislation was signed into law by former Governor Bob Taft and made the State of Ohio the very first state in the nation to recognize "Rosa Parks Day."
Immediately following her Forum, Beatty participated in a panel discussion alongside Brenda Drake, attorney, former foundation executive and First Lady of The Ohio State University, and Theorharis. Those in attendance heard a riveting discussion on how the legacy of Rosa Parks has impacted and continues to shape our country. The Panel Discussion was moderated by Jerry Revish, WBNS-10 TV News Anchor, and a live stream of the panel discussion can be viewed on 10TV.com.
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