2019 Rosa Parks Bill is poised to be signed by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is poised to sign a Rosa Parks Transportation Bill on Tuesday, January 2, 2019.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, MBTA, is the public agency responsible for operating public transportation services in Greater Boston and 15 regional transit authorities.

With both houses in the Massachusetts State Legislature, Assembly and Senate concurring, legislation is enacted and the bill has been laid before Governor Baker for his signature.

Beginning in January 2018, the bill (S 2410), sponsored by Milton Sen. Walter Timilty, reads,

Whenever the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority operates transportation via its bus lines during the month of February in every year hence forth, the Authority will provide acknowledgement of the accomplishments of Ms. Rosa Parks to the Civil Rights Movement. This display shall be demonstrated via L.E.D. display and or decal in the front left window of all bus transportation vehicles, or in a similar manner approved by the Authority or its designee.

Natalie Ornell lead a nationwide effort to establish this amazing educational opportunity to annually honor Rosa Parks, whose refusal in December 1955 to give up her seat to a white man, helped to spark the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott. The hard fought year long community effort lead to a major Civil Rights victory that lead to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling legally ended segregation on public transportation throughout the United States, impacting the world.

On, February 4, 2019, Rosa Parks Day and throughout Black History Month each February, the MBTA buses will "provide acknowledgement of the lifetime accomplishments of Ms. Rosa Parks.”