Sarah Keys Evans was a key figure in the civil rights movement and a pioneer in the fight against racial segregation in the United States. In 1952, Sarah Keys, an African American woman and army private, was traveling on a bus from Fort Dix, New Jersey to her home in Washington, D.C. She boarded a Greyhound bus in Virginia and took a seat in the section designated for white passengers.

When the bus driver ordered her to move to the back of the bus in accordance with segregation laws, Keys refused to give up her seat. She was ultimately arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Keys fought the charges in court with the help of the NAACP, and her case became a symbol of resistance against segregation in transportation.

In 1955, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) issued a landmark ruling that segregated seating on interstate buses was unconstitutional. This ruling, known as the Keys v. Carolina Coach Company decision, was a significant victory in the civil rights movement and helped pave the way for the eventual desegregation of buses across the country.

Sarah Keys Evans’ courageous stand against segregation on the bus sparked national attention and played a crucial role in challenging racial discrimination in public transportation. Her bravery and activism have cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights in America.