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Martha White, a Black woman whose actions helped launch the 1953 bus boycotts in Louisiana’s capital city, has died. She was 99.
White died Saturday, her family and others confirmed.
White, then 23, was working as a housekeeper in the capital city of Baton Rouge in 1953 when she took action. After a long day of walking to and from work while seeking to reach her bus stop, she decided to sit in one of the only bus seats available one designated for white passengers.
When the driver ordered her to get up, White refused and another Black woman sat beside her in solidarity. The bus driver threatened to have the women arrested. Ultimately police, the bus company manager and a civil rights activist, the
Martha White launched a bus boycott in Baton Rouge, La., by taking a seat reserved for white passengers. Her actions foreshadowed the civil rights era.
Martha White, leader of the 1953 Baton Rouge bus boycott, has died
She was 99 years old.
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The Advocate
Martha White, a Civil Rights activist and the woman who sparked the 1953 Baton Rouge bus boycott, has passed away. According to a statement from a spokesperson, she died on Saturday (June 5) at 99 years old.
The mayor of Baton Rouge and several fellow Civil Rights pioneers reflected on her impact earlier this week.
On June 15, 1953; White was 23 years old and returning home from her job as a housekeeper. According to the statement, White walked miles to and from the bus stop each day and, after spending all day on her feet, she decided to take the bus’ only open seat, which happened to be reserved for white passengers. When the bus driver ordered her to move, she refused and another Black woman came and sat next to her in solidarity.