We all know who Rosa Parks is and what she did. Well, nine months before Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus, Claudette Colvin did it. One of the key differences? Claudette was only 15.
Claudette was arrested and taken to jail for not giving up her seat for a white person. Remember, this was 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, where segregation was commonplace.
Not only did Claudette do the same thing Rosa Parks did, she also was one of four women who challenged the law in court. She was one of the plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the court case that overturned bus segregation laws in Montgomery and Alabama.
So why did she not get the recognition for her efforts? Part of the reason may have been her age. Part of it may have been due to a poor choice. During this time, she became a pregnant teen. In the civil rights movement, the preference was to have someone with a more pristine reputation to be the rallying point.
Today, Claudette has begun to receive recognition for her leadership and backbone in standing up for something which was not right. And, this recognition is well-deserved. Courage is defined by the stand Claudette took by sitting down, holding her place, and staying true to the essential principle of freedom. In her own words:
“I knew then and I know now that, when it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. You can’t sugarcoat it. You have to take a stand and say, ‘This is not right.'” – Claudette Colvin
Claudette Colvin is courage.
Courage involves large and small acts. Moments of courage happen during troubled and good times. We often recognize courage in troubled times. We think of a farmer struggling with balancing harvest and a young family while caring for his wife dying of cancer. We think of an aunt and uncle trying to find sense in their daughter’s death from a car accident and begin to put their life together again. We think of the teen saying “no” to the offer of drugs and instead thinking more of their future than current popularity contests. Courage is evident in each person’s eyes and perseverance through tough times.
Too often in good times, our courage becomes lackadaisical. Everything is humming right along so why disrupt, why stand up for a change?
In our good times, we may need to muster our courage to step out of our comfort zone and engage in new thinking or ignite an innovation. In our good times, we may need to think out in time and have the courage to make a change before we are confronted with a big, big problem. Courage should be evident in our horizon view and the course we plot in a refreshing direction.
We all have a name, just as Claudette does. And, just as Claudette Colvin, our name should embrace courage. In troubled times, we must find and exhibit our courage to right a wrong and stand up for a core belief. In good times, we must find and exemplify courage in the way we lead ahead in the way we need to grow and change.
No matter your age. No matter your circumstances. No matter if good or bad times. Know you have the courage from within.
Courage. Let it be our name, too.
YES!!! “Courage. Let it be our name, too.” Thank you for participating in the Leadership Development Blog Carnival!
Thanks, Chery. Looking forward to all the insights on courage coming in the Leadership Development Blog Carnival. Thanks for hosting it! Jon
It takes immense courage to stand up for what you believe in when you are “forced” to due to an external circumstance. It is even more courageous to stand for what you believe in when there is no impetus for you to act, no reason to rock the boat other than aligning your actions with your values and principles. Thank you for sharing this story. It is a shame that the face of courage must be filtered to fit into the box of societal expectations, But, it is refreshing to have individuals like yourself shine the light on this admiral quality for exactly what it is.
Thank you, David, for your great and kind comment. Claudette’s story is one we can really embrace and use as an example to tap into our own courage in good and challenging times. Grateful for you jumping into the conversation. Jon
Thank you so much for sharing Claudette’s story Jon! I love reading about people like Claudette and have always felt courage to be one of the most important values.
Thank you, Marquita. Appreciate that!
Wonderful historical piece on courage Jon. I’m actually attending a play this evening in Charlottesville VA that explores her story. And thanks for retweeting my blog piece on generational leadership today!
Thank you, Deborah, for your comment, and I enjoyed reading your post this morning, too, on Lead Change. All the best! Thanks! Jon
I’m so glad you shared this story Jon! I’ve heard it mentioned several times before but you told it in a way that helped me see how I can carry that torch of courage forward – even though I’ve never lived through anything that can compare to Claudette’s struggle for justice. Even in the best of times, I can carry the courage to step outside of my comfort zone and ask more of myself than I have ever thought possible. To think of Claudette, so young and pregnant, yet standing up for her rights against so much hatred and animosity…that took some incredible courage. Thank you so much for sharing this Jon…truly inspirational!
Thanks so much for your feedback, Karen. Claudette set a great example for us to carry forward in challenging and good times. Grateful for your comments. Jon
Terrific post, Jon and what an important story to tell!
I loved the idea of having courage during good times because that is probably when we have high energy and clearer, more focused vision. It is so easy to let our ideas slide and not offer opinions or share innovative ideas. We must always do what is right! And never fall complacent.
I agree, Terri. We need to summon our courage during the good times so that we can always grow, learn, and pursue innovation. Thanks! Jon
I loved this message, Jon. It’s very empowering to know that each one of us has the choice, and opportunity, to be courageous. It’s up to us….
Very true, LaRae. We have the choice and we need to choose our courageous moments wisely. Thanks! Jon
Jon, Terrific story. Courage matters in every choice, even if no one notices. Claudette knew she lived her values, even if no one noticed.
Agreed, Karin! Exhibiting our courage doesn’t require an audience, just making the right choice at the right time. Thanks! Jon
Wonderful post Jon.
I love the quote you shared:
“I knew then and I know now that, when it comes to justice, there is no
easy way to get it. You can’t sugarcoat it. You have to take a stand and
say, ‘This is not right.’” – Claudette Colvin
What was true then is true today. We can’t sugarcoat it and frankly, far too many people do. We cannot change the current status quo by tiptoeing thru the tulips if you will when it comes to issues that continue to BE sugarcoated.
Standing up for what is RIGHT is not being ‘mean’. Questioning systems that reveal blatant lack of integrity and continue to withhold justice is not being ‘mean’. However, in todays world, it seems a bit upside down. The cruelest of the cruel can claim they are being bullied when those being bullied stand up for what’s right.
The manipulative and deceivers can claim those who speak up as being ‘mean’ for doing so.
We sugarcoat the realities of the world to such an extent that people can easily become outraged for receiving poor customer service when it comes to cable tv or a restaurant yet when it comes to children being raped? Far too many don’t even blink an eye.
Something is seriously wrong when reality needs to be sugarcoated. Or denied.
We cannot change what we refuse to acknowledge and accept that it ‘exists’.
Believe me when I say, these terrible things DO exist… whether we like it or not.
Thanks for adding your voice of encouragement to find courage.
Samantha, Such passion! Passion ignites courage and that inner passion is what kept Claudette seated and then pursuing justice. Reality can be tough at times and it calls on us to toughen up, too, finding our courage. Thanks for adding to the conversation. Appreciate it! Jon