What life lessons can we learn from Rosa Parks beyond the bus?
Today's esteemed guest, H.H. Leonards, relates insights she learned during the time Rosa Parks lived in her home.
H.H. Leonards is a wife, mother of three, and founder of O Museum in The Mansion in Washington, DC, where Mrs. Rosa Parks, her friends, and business associates lived with her, at no cost, as part of The Mansion and O Museum's Heroes-In-Residence Program. Throughout her professional career, Leonards has focused on making it economically feasible for corporations to leverage their philanthropic contributions for their benefit—and the benefit of society. She has tirelessly worked to encourage companies and individuals to translate their personal visions into a mission of service. As a consultant to Ogilvy & Mather, she helped them create (and make real) cause-related marketing for their clients. A staunch advocate of social justice through music and storytelling, she is Co-Founder of 51StepsToFreedom.org, a non-profit organization that is developing a city-wide trail that traces America's struggle for equality and freedom.
Leonards said she didn't initially recognize Rosa Parks as a civil rights figure, but instead took the 81-year-old guest into her home as someone who needed a place to recover from a horrific assault. Yet even before she learned Parks' historical role, the impact of Rosa's faith and character made a profound and unforgettable impression on H's life.
Leonards shares the following ways Rosa Parks modeled a life of eternal resonance and wisdom:
Leonards notes that Rosa Parks' time is now, just as much as it was in 1950 when she refused to give up her seat on the bus.
Leonards explained that Parks accomplished more in the final decade of her life than in all the years prior. Rosa learned to swim at age 90 and had children teach her to use a computer in her late 80's.
Parks received the congressional medal of honor and the presidential and accepted them only in order to share her mission and vision. She fought for human rights, not just for a single group's rights. Rosa Parks fought for equality and unifying hearts upon common ground. She helped found the organization NOW for women.
Rosa spent hours at church every Sunday and served as a deacon there.
Rosa overflowed with humility and humanity. She invited people of all races to accompany her to her regular attendance at the AME Church.
H related how others felt Rosa's love even when they didn't recognize her as a public figure.
Rosa died penniless because she prioritized giving above her own comfort. She gave all she earned to others.
Leonards describes not realizing Rosa Parks' historical significance for the first three years of residing with her as a blessing. She also did not recognize Willis Edwards, the gentleman who brought her to live there, as the head of the NAACP.
H encourages listeners to adopt the message of Rosa Parks and become disciples of love and of Jesus.
Living with Rosa Parks grew H as a disciple to the extent of stripping away unimportant things.
Rosa modeled compassion and forgiveness. After surviving multiple assaults, Parks emerged with undiminished grace.
Rosa demonstrated reliance upon faith to forgive when it would be impossible to do so in human strength.
She refused to respond rashly, but carefully thought over her words and responses. When the driver of the bus passed away, the press asked Rosa about her reaction. Parks thought for a while and then stated she was sure his family misses him.
Connect with H.H. Leonards, founder of O. Museum, and get a copy of her book at omuseum.org or at rhboyd.com. RH Boyd is the oldest African American publishing company and is run by a 5th generation Boyd, a woman in her 30s, so it was the perfect publisher for H.H. Leondards' book. Contact H at h@omuseum.org.
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