Congresswoman Joyce Beatty Hosts The Power of One: Ohio’s 20th Annual Statewide Tribute to Rosa Parks

COLUMBUS, OH - Tonight, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) hosted The Power of One: Ohio's 20th Annual Statewide Tribute to Rosa Parks at Vitria on the Square, marking the 20th anniversary of Ohio becoming the first state in the nation to designate December 1st as Rosa Parks Day.

The evening featured The Power of One: In the Company of Courage,a panel discussion with Congresswoman Beatty and Congressman James E. Clyburn, moderated by Emmy Award-winning journalist Ed Gordon. Some of the conversation drew from themes in Clyburn's new book, The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation, connecting lessons from Reconstruction-era leadership to the responsibilities of public service and civic engagement today.

Event special guests included Walter "Ted" Carter Jr.,President of The Ohio State University, and Monica Téllez-Fowler, President and CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). Former Governor Bob Taft, Ohio's 67th Governor, who signed theRosa Parks Day bill into law received special recognition as a 20th anniversary event honoree. The event was also graced by a cousin of civil rights icons Coretta Scott King and a cousin of Martin Luther King, Jr.

In her opening remarks, Beatty reflected on the continued resonance of Parks' courage. "On December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks made a deliberate choice to stay seated. In that moment, she accelerated the struggle for equality and forced our nation to confront the disconnect between what America declared and what America delivered," said Congresswoman Beatty. "It galvanized a movement that transformed the American story. Today, as the challenges facing her legacy and America's democracy grow more urgent, that single act still calls us to action."

Regarding the stories in The First Eightand their place in our shared history, Congressman Clyburn said, "The First Eightis about eight South Carolinians, one of whom was a graduate of Ohio's Wilberforce University, who blazed the trail that made my journey possible. Their courage, conviction, faith, and fortitude helped shape a nation, and I hope the people of the great city of Columbus, Ohio, will come to know these extraordinary public servants and the important lessons their experiences teach us."

In speaking about Rosa Parks' enduring impact on equity and justice, Monica Téllez-Fowler, COTA President and CEO,said, "By refusing to give up her seat, she forced our nation to confront an uncomfortable truth. That equal rights could not be delayed, denied, or negotiated. She affirmed that access in every sense of the word is foundational to freedom. Her act reminds us that public transportation is more than getting from one place to another. It is tied to justice and to dignity. It reflects the promise that every person deserves the ability to move freely through their community and toward opportunity. At COTA, that belief guides every decision we make."

"Courage is about doing what we believe is right, even when it's hard, unpopular or risky. Rosa Parks embodied this quality as well as any figure in our history,"said Ohio State President Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. "With quiet strength, she made courageous choices that have inspired future generations to action here in Columbus and across our nation. It was an honor to join with Congresswoman Beatty, Congressman Clyburn, COTA and community leaders to honor Rosa Parks' life and legacy for this very special 20th anniversary event."

As part of the anniversary celebration, Congresswoman Beatty recognized four Ohioans whose leadership reflects the courage, service, and commitment of Rosa Parks:

• Governor Bob Taft, Ohio's 67th Governor, signed Rosa Parks bill into law
• Dr. Laura Espy-Bell, System Medical Chief, Health Equity, OhioHealth
• André Washington, Special Assistant to the Executive Director, OAPSE/AFSCME
• Dawn Tyler Lee, Founder & CEO, Forrest Street Consulting

The event also brought together a broad coalition of civic, faith-based, and cultural organizations, who served as Honorary Community Hostsfor this historic celebration:

• The Links, Incorporated - Columbus Chapter
• The Links, Incorporated - Twin Rivers Chapter
• Alonzo Edmundo
• Shari Hicks-Graham, MD
• Lawrence Lemon
• Jerry Saunders
• Gayle Saunders
• Sean Walton, Jr.
• Carlton Weddington
• Brian Winston

Click HERE(link is external)to screen a video recording of the event.

While serving in the Ohio House of Representatives, Beatty wrote the legislation establishing Rosa Parks Day in Ohio. The legislation passed unanimously during the 50th anniversary of Parks' historic refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, an act that sparked the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped launch the modern civil rights movement. Beatty served five terms in the Ohio House, where she became the first female Democratic House Leader in state history. Former Governor Bob Taft, signed the legislation into law.

Earlier this week, the nation marked the 70th anniversary of Rosa Parks' defining act of defiance. This year's tribute honored that milestone by reaffirming Parks' enduring influence and underscoring the ongoing responsibility to protect progress and strengthen democratic institutions.

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