Local citizens are mourning the loss of a courageous civil rights icon.
Rosa Parks, the woman who sparked the civil rights movement by refusing to give up her seat on an Alabama bus, died Monday night.
Parks made her mark on history 50 years ago, but some Bryan/College Station residents are celebrating the long-lasting effects of her heroic actions.
Texas A&M Chief of Staff Rodney McClendon, has studied and taught students about the civil rights movement. He shared his thoughts on Parks' ability to inspire a nation.
"Other folks decided that her sitting down was an opportunity for them to stand up. And even though that happened almost 50 years ago, young people, older people are still inspired by Mrs. Parks saying, today I'm not going to take this anymore," said McClendon.
A spokesperson says Parks died of natural causes at her home in Detroit. She was 92.
Remembering Rosa Parks