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Claudette Colvin, who refused to move seats on a bus at start of civil rights movement, dies

January 14, 2026

Claudette Colvin, a key figure in the civil rights movement known for her arrest at age 15 for refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, has passed away at the age of 86. Her actions, which occurred nine months prior to Rosa Parks' similar protest, played a significant role in challenging racial segregation in the U. S.

Claudette Colvin, who refused to move seats on a bus at start of civil rights movement, dies

Credit: Claudette Colvin sits for a portrait, Feb. 5, 2009, in New York.Julie Jacobson/APhide captiontoggle captionJulie Jacobson/AP

Key Highlights

Claudette Colvin died at the age of 86 from natural causes.
She was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her bus seat, a pivotal act in the civil rights movement.
Her protest occurred nine months before Rosa Parks' famous refusal to give up her seat.
Colvin's legacy gained recognition with the publication of a detailed book about her experience in 2009.
Her actions contributed to the Montgomery bus boycott and subsequent Supreme Court decision against racial segregation.

Sources

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Claudette Colvin, who refused to move seats on a bus at start of civil rights movement, dies

Key Highlights

Sources

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