Claudette Colvin, who helped spark the civil rights movement, has died

By Debbie Elliott,

Steve Inskeep

Published January 14, 2026 at 4:39 AM EST

Claudette Colvin, whose refusal to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama, bus at age 15 helped spark the modern civil rights movement, has died. She was 86.

Debbie Elliott

NPR National Correspondent Debbie Elliott can be heard telling stories from her native South. She covers the latest news and politics, and is attuned to the region's rich culture and history.

Steve Inskeep

Steve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.

See stories by Steve Inskeep

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