Thelma Glass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thelma Glass
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Thelma Glass
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| Born |
Thelma McWilliams
May 16, 1916 |
| Died | July 24, 2012 (aged 96) |
| Alma mater | Alabama State University, Columbia University |
| Occupation | Geography professor |
| Employer | Alabama State University |
| Known for | Co-organizer of Montgomery bus boycott |
| Spouse(s) | Arthur Glass |
Thelma Glass (born May 16, 1916 – died July 24, 2012) was an American civil rights activist. She was well-known for helping to organize the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955. She was also a professor who taught geography.
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Early Life and Education
Thelma McWilliams was born in Mobile, Alabama, on May 16, 1916. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father worked as a hotel cook.
She went to Dunbar High School in Mobile. After high school, she continued her studies at Alabama State University. Later, she also attended Columbia University.
Leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Thelma Glass became a very important person in the Civil Rights Movement. She joined an organization called the Women's Political Council in 1947. By 1955, she was the secretary of this group.
A Call for Change
In December 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. After this, Thelma Glass and other members of the Women's Political Council decided to act. They called for a boycott of the Montgomery bus system. This meant that Black people would stop riding the buses.
Working with Dr. King
This boycott marked the beginning of the famous Montgomery bus boycott. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also joined the protests. He worked closely with Thelma Glass and others.
Spreading the Word
Thelma Glass played a key role in organizing the boycott. She handed out flyers to people. She made sure the community knew about the protest. She encouraged passengers to walk or share rides instead of using the buses.
Boycott's Success
Soon, the buses in Montgomery were almost empty. The boycott continued for over a year, even though there was sometimes violence against the protesters. Finally, the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the United States, ruled that segregation on buses was against the law. This meant that people could no longer be separated by race on buses. The boycott then ended.
Personal Life and Career
Thelma McWilliams married Arthur Glass in 1942. Both she and her husband taught geography at Alabama State University. Her husband was also a professor there.
Thelma Glass passed away in 2012. She was 96 years old.
