Just over 57 years after her historic refusal to give up a bus seat to a white patron, Rosa Parks’ contributions to the civil rights movement are once again being honored and celebrated in Atmore.

Lillie Johnson, director of the Atmore Family Life Center, said this year’s annual breakfast, held in Parks’ honor, was founded eight years ago.

“When everyone was talking about Dr. King, we thought it would be good to also honor Rosa Parks,” Johnson said. “Dr. King did wonderful things but we wouldn’t have ever known about Dr. King if she would have gotten up off that bus that day. That was the beginning of the movement. She is the mother of the civil rights movement.”

Johnson said this year’s breakfast will be held Saturday, Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. at Greater Mt. Triumph Missionary Baptist church and is a free event.

“Anyone is invited from age 15 up,” she said. “The breakfast is free.”

This year’s featured speaker will be Dr. Reginald Sykes, president of Southern Community College in Monroeville. Dr. Zickeyous Byrd will handle master of ceremonies duties and the Rev. Willie Hawthorne will provide the musical entertainment.