Rosa Parks became a civil rights icon due to several pivotal events in her life. The most significant turning point was her courageous decision to refuse to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955, an act of defiance against racism and segregation. This decision led to her arrest, igniting the Montgomery Bus Boycott and marking her as a symbol of the civil rights movement. Additionally, Parks’ lifelong commitment to social justice through her involvement in various organizations, including the NAACP, contributed to her recognition. Her steadfast belief in equality and justice propelled her into the forefront of the movement.