Born in Minneapolis, Margaret Stephens was just over a month old when Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Ala., for refusing to give up her seat on the bus.
Thirty-five years later, she started driving a bus herself. On the 65th anniversary of Parks' arrest, Stephens was asked to reflect on Parks' role in the Civil Rights Movement and and to read "I Am Rosa Parks," which tells the story of her arrest.
Reading about Parks, Stephens said, was an eye-opening reminder of all that's occurred in her lifetime and all the changes she's seen in her 30 years at Metro Transit. Today, four of every 10 Metro Transit employees is a person of color.
“I’m seeing more people of color coming into the job, more women, and not just driving the bus but branching out into other areas of the company,” Stephens said.
Stephens also considered how being bus operator has allowed her to impact the lives of others.
“People come from all walks of life, and it’s not our job to judge,” she said. “I really see my job as an opportunity to be a light in someone’s life. Even if you only touch one person, you’ve touched somebody.”
Watch Stephens read "I Am Rosa Parks,” and please join us in commemorating this historical moment.
Read a short biography of Rosa Parks