It Takes One Person: Tribute to Rosa Parks

It Takes One Person: A Tribute to Rosa Parks by artist Eric Okdeh is located in the West Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This mural celebrates Rosa Parks and her impact. It was designed with input by the Mural Arts Class at Graterford Prison. The design portrays, among other things, a timeline of events that stand to inspire generations to come.

Rosa Parks is the prominent figure at the top of the mural. There is an arm-in-arm protest scene at the bottom of the wall. The figure holding a large purse is also Rosa Parks. The pediment imagery was used to highlight and enhance the pitched roof that is common to this area. A stain glass motif decorates the small attic window.

The quote by Rosa Parks reads: “I would like to be known as a person who is concerned with freedom, equality, justice, and prosperity for all people.” The homeowner’s granddaughters appear at the bottom left of the mural as figures representing the influence of Rosa Parks on future generations.