Contact: Kevin Elwood
Phone: (336) 412-6309

 GTA to Recognize Rosa Parks with Bus Tour
Book Reading to take place at Central Library and Guilford County Schools

GREENSBORO, NC – (November 24, 2008) – Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) will join public transportation providers around the country in recognition of National Rosa Parks Day on Monday, December 1 to honor the life of civil rights activist Rosa Parks.

Fifty-three years ago, Parks refused to move from her seat on a Montgomery, Ala. transit bus. This action is widely considered to be a pivotal moment in the launch of the modern civil rights movement. In tribute, City of Greensboro Public Transportation Manager Elizabeth James will visit four Guilford County public schools and two preschools, where selected students will have the opportunity to board a GTA bus. The students will also hear a reading of "A Picture Book of Rosa Parks" by James, followed by GTA gifts. The tour will end with a public reading about Parks at the Central Library downtown beginning at 4 pm. The public is invited to bring their children to the library location for the reading and giveaways.

“Every year we celebrate the courage of Rosa Parks as it gives us an additional opportunity to educate the public with what she did for civil rights, and the rights of all Americans,” said James. “Of course, this year has special significance as we are within the first term of Greensboro’s first African-American Mayor, and come January, the first African-American President of the United States, showing just how far we have progressed…. going from the rear of the bus to the head of a city, and a nation.”

For more information on GTA, call (336) 373-GDOT or visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/gdot.