February 4, 2009
MAX station renamed to honor Rosa Parks
Local leaders gather on Rosa Parks' birthday to unveil new signage
From today forward, the Portland Blvd MAX Yellow line station will be known as the Rosa Parks Station. TriMet announced the name change at a ceremony held today on the anniversary of Rosa Parks' birth.
City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, Rev. Renee Ward and TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen are celebrating a tribute to Rosa Parks' civil rights crusade that will be permanently installed at newly dedicated Rosa Parks MAX Station.
"Rosa Parks' actions started on a bus and helped change our nation," said TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen. "She called attention to the simple truth that a transit system paid for by all must benefit all. We are proud to permanently recognize her legacy by renaming this MAX station in her honor."
TriMet chose to make a stronger statement by forgoing dual signs at the MAX station platforms and choosing today–Rosa Parks' birthday–to honor her by renaming the station.
Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who led the city's effort to change Portland Boulevard to Rosa Parks Way, joined TriMet's Hansen, Pastor B.E. Johnson of the Albina Ministerial Alliance, Rev. Renee Ward, Lisa Sedlar, president of New Seasons Market and Arwen Bird from the Human Rights Commission in dedicating the station. Pastor Johnson, who is credited with proposing the idea for the name change, delivered the invocation at the event. Rev. Ward's remarks included an inspiring poem–"A Rose is still a Rosa"–she wrote to honor Ms. Parks.
"My hope is that when people see this station they are reminded of Rosa Parks' single bold move and are inspired to stand up for themselves and for those who aren't able to," said Saltzman.
In fall 2006, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to change Portland Boulevard to Rosa Parks Way. Dual street signs currently mark Portland Boulevard/Rosa Parks Way. The Portland Boulevard signs will be removed in October 2009.
TriMet had planned to change the MAX signs in fall 2009, but instead decided to pay tribute to Rosa Parks' significant role in the civil rights movement by unveiling the new station name sooner. With the change to Rosa Parks Station, TriMet is marking the first time it has named a transit stop after a national historical figure. In addition to the new signs, TriMet is also installing a tribute highlighting the milestones of Rosa Parks' civil rights crusade.
About Rosa Parks (1913-2005)
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, after refusing to give up her seat to a white man while riding on a segregated bus. Rosa Parks' courageous act drew national attention to two simple truths: a public transit system paid for by all must benefit all, and civil rights must be protected for all.