Claudette Colvin, a pivotal figure in the early civil rights movement, has died at the age of 86. In 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks's iconic act, Colvin, then 15, was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to surrender her seat on a segregated bus to a White passenger. She was charged with violating segregation ordinances and assaulting a police officer, convictions that were later overturned on appeal or expunged in 2021. Colvin's courageous defiance, despite being labeled "crazy" and facing legal repercussions, contributed to the momentum that led to the landmark Browder v. Gayle lawsuit, which ultimately ended bus segregation in Alabama. Her family and legal team emphasized her desire for her record to be cleared to inspire future generations and demonstrate that progress is achievable.