Stanford University Unearths Rare Rosa Parks Photos
A remarkable discovery has emerged from Stanford University Libraries, revealing a collection of rare photographs featuring civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks. These images captured her participation in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march in Alabama.
Discovery of Rosa Parks Photos
The photographs were taken by renowned photographer Matt Heron during the crucial civil rights events of the 1960s. Recently, a team of researchers from Alabama uncovered these images in the Matt Herron Photography Archive, donated to Stanford in 2022. The archive spans Heron’s extensive career from the 1950s to 2020 and includes thousands of materials.
Significance of the Photographs
Rosa Parks, widely celebrated for her role in the civil rights movement, is seen in these photographs engaging with other activists and delivering speeches at the Alabama State Capitol. Notably, these images never appeared in print, remaining solely within Herron’s personal collection of contact sheets.
- Found by Alabama researchers visiting Stanford
- Photographs taken during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march
- Show Rosa Parks interacting with fellow protesters
- Unpublished photos remained in personal archives
Insight from Experts
Lerone Martin, a professor at Stanford, emphasized the importance of these images. He stated, “Rosa Parks had a long life of activism, before and after her famous protest of segregated buses in Montgomery.” He highlighted her role as a significant figure in the Black freedom struggle.
Future of the Collection
The discovery of these photographs will enhance our understanding of Parks’ contributions. The images, along with other materials from Herron’s extensive work, are set to be digitized and catalogued at Stanford, ensuring broader access to this vital part of civil rights history.
