HART Celebrates 'Rosa Parks Day'

Rosa Parks

It all started on a bus in 1955, after Rosa Parks decided to take a stand by taking a seat. 

Ms. Parks' brave actions on December 1, 1955, led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott that culminated one year later with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing access and ending segregation on public transportation.

Rosa Parks' seat designation

In honor of Ms. Parks' courageous act and dedication to Civil Rights, HART designates a seat on every bus throughout Black History Month in February.

"Ms. Parks' actions created opportunities for millions of transit users locally and throughout the country who rely on public transportation to get to work, to school and to create the lives they want to live," Ruthie Reyes Burckard, HART Interim Chief Executive Officer said. "Her decision to keep her seat reminds all of us of the importance of standing for equality."

It all started on a bus, and HART celebrates Ms. Rosa Parks and the role transit played in advancing Civil Rights and equality.

HART Celebrates Black History!

HART celebrates Black History Month!

As we celebrate Black History Month, we are frequently reminded of the important role that transportation plays in supporting and sustaining communities of color in today's complex landscape.

HART has several activities planned throughout February to celebrate the African American community!

Starting this week, all HART fixed route buses will have a seat designated for Rosa Parks, a pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement. Parks, the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement," will be honored by HART in this fitting tribute by designating a seat on every HART bus. Each of these special seat covers will have a commemorative sign displayed on them, honoring both Parks' legacy and her dedication to the Civil Rights Movement.

HART is designating a seat for Rosa Parks throughout Feb.

More than 170 HART buses will have a seat designated for Rosa Parks. A sign will remind all passengers of Parks' decision to take a stand simply by taking a seat. Parks' non-violent action on December 1, 1955 led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott that culminated one year later with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing access to public transportation.

Public transportation also happens to be a great way to visit local African American historic sites in Tampa.

Throughout February, we're highlighting historical sites on our social media channels and how you can Take HART to Black History!

HART is also partnering with local schools to host field trips to these local sites on one of our buses. Local community leader Clarence Fort will provide insight into the Civil Rights Movement, as Tampa experienced it.

Clarence Fort, former President of the NAACP Youth Council, led the first Tampa sit-ins in 1956 and fought for the first African American Tampa bus operators.

HART is honored to be able to celebrate the lives of all those who paved the way during this month's activities in recognition of Black History Month.

HART Celebrates Black History Month!

As we celebrate Black History Month, we are frequently reminded of the important role that transportation plays in supporting and sustaining communities of color in today's complex landscape. In celebration of Black History Month, HART has planned several activities to celebrate Black History Month.

Starting this week, all HART fixed route buses will have a seat designated for Rosa Parks, a pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement. Parks, the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement," will be honored by HART in this fitting tribute by designating a seat on every HART bus. Each of these special seat covers will have a commemorative sign displayed on them, honoring both Parks' legacy and her dedication to the Civil Rights Movement.

HART is designating a seat for Rosa Parks throughout Feb.

More than 180 HART buses will have a seat designated for Rosa Parks. A sign will remind all passengers of Parks' decision to take a stand simply by taking a seat. Parks' non-violent action on December 1, 1955 led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott that culminated one year later with a U. S. Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing access to public transportation.

"Her actions created millions of opportunities for transit users in Hillsborough County who rely on HART to get to work, to get to school and to create the lives they want. HART makes life happen for many folks," HART Chief Administrative Officer Kenyatta Lee said. "Her decision to keep her seat reminds all of us to focus on the larger issues of equality, opportunity and hope for the future."

In addition, HART has also produced a video - HART Generations of Services. This video features three HART retirees who tell their personal stories about how HART has changed through the years and how HART shaped their lives. The video is being played on the monitors located throughout the agency and it is available on the HART YouTube page.

Also, on February 21, HART will host a reception for our retirees at the Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library at 5:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to spend time with some great HART pioneers and see the exhibit displayed in recognition of Black History Month.

We're highlighting local African American historical sites!

Public transportation also happens to be a great way to visit local African American historic sites in Tampa.

On social media, we're also highlighting these local African American historical sites and how you can Take HART to Black History!

HART is honored to be able to celebrate the lives of all those who paved the way during this month's activities in recognition of Black History Month.

Taking to the Skies for Freedom

Freedom Rider Kredelle Petway

The Freedom Riders consisted of 436 individuals from different states, races and genders, each with their own story to tell.

Throughout February, we're telling the stories of 2 local Freedom Riders, along with the author who shined the spotlight on their courageous story.  This week, we feature Kredelle Petway, one of the only airplane Freedom Riders.

Activist by birth

Born in Camden, Alabama in 1941, Kredelle Petway is the daughter of Matthew Petway, a pastor and former NAACP activist.

With her father's ties to the NAACP, Kredelle Petway found herself active with the local movement.

In the early 1960's, she participated in Montgomery and Tallahassee sit-ins. Petway studied mathematics at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Petway spent her breaks from Florida A&M at home in Montgomery, Ala. In 1961, she filled in as a secretary for the Montgomery Improvement Association, a group started in 1955, after Rosa Park's arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus.

When King calls

That summer was particularly special for Petway.

She sat around the dinner table with Dr. Martin Luther King, Ralph Abernathy (Dr. King's close assistant and best friend) and her father Matthew Petway to discuss the Petway family's participation in the 2nd wave of Freedom Rides.

The Freedom Riders faced violence such as this torched bus

The first wave, originating in Washington, ended in a bombed-out bus and bloodied riders.

The plan for the family was to board a flight from Montgomery to Jackson, Mississippi. 

On July 24, 1961, Petway, her father, brother and Cecil A. Thomas, a fellow Freedom rider were arrested only minutes after arrival in the Jackson airport. She was just 20-years-old.

Kredelle Petwaywas arrested as a Freedom Rider

"When we landed in Jackson, they were waiting for us," Kredelle Petway said. The group spent three days in jail before being bailed out.

"It was very interesting, because I knew we were going to get out," Petway said. "I was too excited to be nervous."

Racial segregation on buses, trains and planes officially ended on November 1, 1961, six years after Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat and eight months after the beginning of the Freedom Rides.

Following the rides, Petway graduated from Florida A & M University in 1972 with a degree in mathematics. Over the years, Petway worked for a number of organizations, including the Louisville Urban League, U.S. Department of Treasury and Veteran Affairs. 

Remaining devoted to advancing civil rights, Petway retired in 1999 to focus on promoting equal opportunity employment practices. She now resides across the bay in Apollo Beach, FL.

It All Started on a Bus...

HART is honoring the Freedom Riders, and the author who shined the spotlight on their courageous story throughout February. Visit www.goHART.org/black_history_month to find out what HART is doing to honor their contributions.

It All Started on a Bus: The Freedom Riders

Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat

Martin Luther King, Jr. was the face, the voice and the spirit behind the civil rights movement, but he was not alone. It all on started on a bus in 1955, when Rosa Parks, a seamstress, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man, which was in violation of segregation laws at the time. She later appealed the conviction, challenging the legality of segregation. Rosa Park's actions soon prompted bus boycotts in Montgomery, Alabama, which lead to the desegregation of Montgomery buses and became one of the movement's first victories. The boycotts, led by King, propelled him to the champion the cause.

The boycotts may have advanced the movement, but it wasn't until 1961, that widespread desegregation in public transportation was in seen in the South.

Freedom Riders' bombed-out bus

 Coming from a variety of racial, ethnic and economical backgrounds, 436 students risked their lives on buses, planes and trains, in pursuit of racial equality. What became known as "Freedom Rides" took place throughout the South in support of civil rights, where in some cases; participants were harassed, beaten and jailed.

HART is honoring Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr. and Kredelle Petway, throughout February for their contributions toward advancing racial equality as part of the Freedom Riders. Joining them is Dr. Raymond Arsenault, author of the award winning book Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice, which shined the spotlight on the 436 courageous and determined individuals, 50 years after the rides t through the South.

Keep on the lookout for our PSAs featuring the trio on My Fox Tampa Bay (Channel 13 on most TVs) and PBS (WEDU) throughout the month. We'll also be featuring them individually on the blog over the next few weeks.

One man had a dream that one day all men would be created equal. That dream became a reality through the actions of many, including Rosa Parks and the Freedom Riders. HART honors the role that transit played in advancing that dream of equality. It all started on a bus...

Above: Video (5 minutes) remembering the acts of the Freedom Riders, with a few interviews from two of the Freedom Riders, along with Dr. Arsenault, whom documented their stories.

Visit www.goHART.org/black_history_month for more information and video clips on the Freedom Riders.

Freedom Riders

It all started on a bus...

If you’re younger than 50, you most likely don’t remember a time of “Whites Only” water fountains, and “black” and “white” student segregation. Racial tension filled the late 50's/early 60's air as “blacks” (and “non-blacks”) stood up for their civil rights given to them by the Constitution.

Fifty years ago, more than 400 “black” and “white” students risked their lives – socially and physically – simply by taking a stand and deliberately breaking Jim Crowe laws by traveling together through the Deep South on buses and trains. Following Dr. Martin Luther King’s call for non-violent protests, the Freedom Riders were greeted along the way with savage beatings and imprisonment. After a courageous six months, the Interstate Commerce Commission issued its order to end segregation in bus and rail stations on September 22, 1961.

Award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson brings to Tampa, Freedom Riders, an inspirational story of those six months in 1961 that changed America forever. WEDU is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Freedom Rides with a free event and premiere screening of Freedom Riders at the Tampa Theater on Wednesday, April 13, at 7 pm.

HART is proud to be a sponsor of the event, and in honor of the original Freedom Rides, HART is conducting a “Freedom Ride” of sorts. HART is inviting Hillsborough Community College (HCC) Students interested in history, specifically the Civil Rights Movement, to join us on a bus tour looking at historic landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement in Tampa. A HART bus will pick up 30 HCC students at the HCC Ybor City Campus Performing Arts Center on Palm Ave. at 5:30 pm, the day of the event.

Clarence Fort, former President of the NAACP Youth Council, who led the first Tampa sit-ins in 1956 and fought for the first “black” Tampa Bus Operators, will provide insight into the Civil Rights Movement as Tampa experienced it. The tour will end at the Tampa Theater in time for the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet several of the original Freedom Riders.

For a short (5 min.) video on the role transit played locally in the Civil Rights Movement, please click here.
For more information on the film "Freedom Riders" please visit www.wedu.org/freedomriders.