Black History Month is a celebration that occurs every year in February. This month honors the achievements of the African Americans’ roles in history. Black History Month became an official holiday in 1979. The Sting is putting together a series that highlights black voices from the past.

Few know the story of Claudette Colvin, those who do may refer to her as a pioneer of the 1950 civil rights movement. Colvin, 9 months before Rosa Parks, refused to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated city transit bus. Colvin is often overlooked as she is not taught as a historical figure in many American school curriculums. Colvin was also one of the four women who testified against bus segregation in Browder V. Gayle.

So the question stands, why is Colvin not a household name? Well, there are many reasons, she moved to New York City at the height of the civil rights movement, where many were focused on African American appreciation and Malcolm X instead of inclusion and integration. Even though Colvin still does not have the fame she deserves, Author Phil Hoose highlighted her accomplishments in his book, “Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice.”