Mother Pollard facts for kids
Mother Pollard was an amazing American church elder who played an important part in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the 1950s. She is remembered as a hero of the Civil Rights Movement because she helped keep up the spirits of her pastor, Martin Luther King Jr..
Who Was Mother Pollard?
Mother Pollard was a respected elder at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. She was called "Mother" because of her age, which was around 72 years old during the boycott. Her real first name is not known. She was born sometime between 1882 and 1885 and passed away before 1963.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a very important protest in the Civil Rights Movement. It happened in Montgomery, Alabama, from 1955 to 1956. This protest was against unfair rules that kept Black people and white people separate on public buses. This separation was called racial segregation.
During the boycott, Black people refused to ride the city buses. Instead, they walked, rode bikes, or shared rides to get where they needed to go. This was a way to show that they would not accept unfair treatment.
Mother Pollard's Role
Mother Pollard was one of many brave people who walked every day instead of taking the bus. After several weeks of walking, Martin Luther King Jr., who was leading the boycott, worried about her health. He suggested that she might start taking the bus again because she was older.
Mother Pollard's famous reply showed her strong spirit. She told him, "My feets is tired, but my soul is rested." This meant that even though her body was tired from walking, her spirit felt strong and peaceful because she was doing what was right. Her words helped to encourage Dr. King and many others to keep fighting for equal rights.
Mother Pollard's dedication and faith made her a true inspiration. She showed that even small actions, like walking instead of riding a bus, could make a big difference in the fight for fairness and justice.
See also
In Spanish: Madre Pollard para niños
