Claudette Colvin
Claudette Colvin, born on 5 September 1939 in Birmingham, Alabama, was an African American teenager whose courageous act of refusing to give up her bus seat to a white person in 1955 preceded Rosa Parks’s similar defiance.
At DEV we do the work we do because we're inspired by the incredible work that others are doing. We wanted to champion these trailblazers as figures to look up to because of their passion for change. While not without their faults, they exhibit a strong passion for questioning the norm and creating an impact. Their tales serve as a reminder that real advancement is frequently propelled by those who have the courage to dream of a brighter future, flaws and all. By embracing their narratives, we honour the strength of perseverance, dedication, and the belief that each person holds the capacity to spark significant change.
Claudette Colvin, born on 5 September 1939 in Birmingham, Alabama, was an African American teenager whose courageous act of refusing to give up her bus seat to a white person in 1955 preceded Rosa Parks’s similar defiance.
Martin Luther King Jr., born on 15 January 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, was a civil rights leader who fought for justice and led the movement to end segregation through peaceful protest.
William Wilberforce, born on 24 August 1759 in Kingston upon Hull, UK, was a British politician and philanthropist known for his pivotal role in abolishing the slave trade and slavery in British overseas possessions.
Ida B. Wells, born on 16 July 1862 in Holly Springs, Mississippi, was an African American civil rights advocate, journalist, and feminist who exposed the harsh realities faced by African Americans in the South.
Nelson Mandela, born on 18 July 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa, was a pivotal figure in dismantling apartheid and fostering racial reconciliation.
William Morris, born on 24 March 1834 in the UK, was an influential designer, writer, and socialist known for his contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement and his advocacy for social reform.
Emmeline Pankhurst, born on 15 July 1858 in Manchester, UK, was a pioneering leader in the fight for women's suffrage, initiating the suffragette movement in the UK.
Constance Markievicz, born on 4 February 1868 in London, UK, was a politician, revolutionary, nationalist, suffragist, socialist, and the first woman elected to the Westminster Parliament.
Mahatma Gandhi, born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, India, was a political leader, activist, and social reformer known for his nonviolent resistance, leading India to independence and inspiring global civil rights movements.