Women in the Civil Rights movement

In class the other day the question was brought up about why Rosa Parks was not the person chose to lead the movement. Although Rosa Parks act of "disobedience" was the spark that they needed to carry the movement through the court system, she was never consider as a candidate to be the leader of the bus boycotts. Some people in class suggested that this was because women were weaker then men, especially back then. Not only do i not agree with that but i think almost the exact opposite. Black women were not only struggling with being African American in a time when diversity was not accepted but they were dealing with being a women in a patriarchal society. The women of the movement had to not only keep there own homes and families running but they also worked everyday to help their families maintain a some standard of life. These women had to follow their men into "battle" and help them every step of the way whether it was working behind the scenes or making their daily lives hell walking miles and miles so that they could follow what they were being asked to do. The women of the movement were strong and independent women that made a mark on history that will in my book never be forgotten.