REMEMBERING ROSA PARKS, THE SEAMSTRESS ACTIVIST

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Though Rosa Parks is best known for her role as a civil rights activist, the Alabama native also worked as a seamstress at the Montgomery Fair department store. She was on her way home from work Dec. 1, 1955, when she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger.

At the time, she was working on a dress  for personal use. The mustard and gray shawl-collar dress featured a crossover front bodice with a floral and leaf pattern printed on viscose fabric. The dress is now on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Dress by Seamstress: Rosa Parks TR2007-5.271 object From BFM Collection -National Museum of African American History and Culture, Photographed for Washington Post Interview with Robin Givhan October 19, 2009,