The Army private in NC who said 'no' to moving seats before Rosa Parks. Raleigh's resident bald eagle family

Due South · Jul 30, 2026 · 50m

0:01:00

The Black Army private who wouldn’t move to the back of the bus

Sarah Keys Evans became an unwitting Civil Rights activist when she refused to give up her seat for a white Marine. She was on a bus that had crossed state lines into North Carolina, where in 1952, she was told to move to the back of the bus.

In recent years, her story has become better known, partly thanks to a new book she co-wrote with author Amy Nathan. (This Due South conversation first aired May 27, 2026.)

You can watch and listen to Sarah Keys Evans speaking with PBS NC for an oral history.

Amy Nathan, co-author…