Alabama Bus Boycott Organizer Dies at Age of 96
Montgomery bus boycott organizer, Thelma McWilliams Glass, has died. Glass was a professor and civil rights leader who was among the group of women that organized the Montgomery bus boycott. She died on Wednesday at the age of 96.
Glass was a professor of geography at Alabama State University. The University released a statement announcing her death but did not identify the cause of her death.
President William H. Harris of Alabama State University said:
”The ASU family lost one of its crown jewels today. Mrs. Glass was the consummate educator, whose life was a shining example of service, courage and commitment. She will be truly missed.”
When Rosa Parks, an African American woman, was arrested for refusing to surrender her seat to a White person, the 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery was initiated. Parks and Glass were among the group of women who decided to stand together and demand fair treatment.
Black people boycotted the city of Montgomery’s bus service which crippled it but it brought about the end of segregation of the public transport service the following year.
The group that the women formed was called the Women’s Political Council and Glass was the secretary. The group made sure that everyone became aware of the plan to boycott the public transportation system.
Said Glass, in an interview with ASU Today Magazine,
“The men talked about it, you know, but we were ready to take action.”
Instead of riding buses, boycotters arranged different carpools to get to work and other places and some even walked.
Glass was not only a civil rights pioneer, she was also an educator and was known for emphasizing the importance of social justice to her students. Glass encouraged her students to become active in efforts to bring racial inequality to an end.
Alabama State University, her alma mater, honored her by naming an auditorium after her in Trenholm Hall at the university. She was honored with the Black and Gold Standard Award during the 2011 Founders’ Day Convocation.
Glass belonged to the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and was a recipient of the Harper Councill Trenholm Memorial Award given by the National Alumni Association.
Funeral arrangements are still in process.
9 Responses to Alabama Bus Boycott Organizer Dies at Age of 96
Leave a Reply
Follow Us!
My Hats off to you ma’am! Thank you for giving me the chance to ride on the back or front of the Bus!!!!
I wish black ppl were as united as they were back then. I swear I want to get rid of the crooked Federal EEOC but don’t have anyone to take a stand with me. People are squahed these days and afraid to take a stand. ITs a d**n shame.
She did good with her life. May she reap all of God’s rewards in heaven. R.I.P.
@ Kim
I couldn’t agree more. d**n, I wish blacks were more united today.
@Kim The EEOC is fully owned by White females to fight for their issues. They discriminate against Blacks who try to file law suits.
R.I.P. our dear warrior.
You ladies are so right! There are so many “so-called” civil rights organizations within the Federal government that have been overtaken by Whites who have no intent on carrying out the mandate of those organizations.
We’ve got to keep fighting like h**l even though “we” are not united as we should be. It’s a damned shame, but that’s what we’ve got to work with.
I don’t know her personally but I would surmise that she had strong family ties. Too many blacks, these days have weak or no family ties. We attack each other with a vengeance and worship everything self destructive.
Never met this civil rights heavyweight champion but I did meet her coheart Sister Rosa Parks at the Inauguration of President Bill Clinton where she, Daisey Bates and I sat as special guest. We reflected on how women help give birth to so much history in silence.I guess because we birth our sons and we permit them to get the credit for our pain and suffering for we know they will need it to compete with their white brothers. Thank God her college has given her Honor that will last and thro social networking the world can know of her valuable contribution to this world.
Mrs. Thelma McWilliams, the epitome of a true sheroe; along with Mrs. Daisy Bates, Mrs. Rosa Parks and others who were not afraid to risk their lives for the civil rights of others. My God keep her in His care.
The soul of the women who carried the torch of righteousness and respect for the Africans who where brought here to serve and die-has received their sister in the gates of Heaven. Thank you Mrs. T. M. Glass for your courage.
Ms. Kim- Let’s pray for one of our intelligent Brothers or Sisters in the legal field to assist you in your plight.
Let’s unite and in the OLD NEGRO SPIRIT- SHOW SOME SOLIDARITY AND HIT THEM IN THE POCKETS LIKE OUR FEARLESS FORE PARENTS DID-
BOYCOTT CHRISTMAS 2012