Martha White, a black woman whose actions helped launch the 1953 bus boycotts in Louisiana’s capital city, has died aged 99. Ms White, then 23, was working as a housekeeper in the capital city of Baton Rouge in 1953 when she took action. When the driver ordered her to get up, Ms White refused and another black woman sat beside her in solidarity. In response to the ordinance, bus drivers began a strike and the ordinance was later overturned. Baton Rouge is known for organizing the first large-scale boycott of the segregated bus system.

Source: Irish Independent June 09, 2021 10:07 UTC