Atlanta Celebrates the Unveiling of a Special MARTA Bus Honoring Civil Rights Legend, Ambassador Andrew Young
In the vibrant city of Atlanta, a heartwarming event took place that paid tribute to one of civil rights history’s most influential figures, Ambassador Andrew Young. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, fondly known as MARTA, hosted a memorable unveiling of a bus designed to honor Young’s extensive contributions to civil rights and his tireless work as a public servant.
The grand occasion was set at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center on the campus of Morehouse College. This special bus joins a lineup of tributes to significant civil rights icons of the past, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Congressman John Lewis, and other stalwarts like Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery and his partner, Evelyn Gibson Lowery. Ambassador Young is the only living figure among these celebrated personalities, amplifying the emotional charge of his dedicated bus.
Ambassador Andrew Young is a name synonymous with leadership. Not only did he stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, but he also went on to become a pioneering diplomat and a cornerstone of Atlanta’s political landscape as Mayor. Young’s advocacy for public transit is no secret, and his role as a driving force behind MARTA’s expansion is well-documented. This bus is more than a moving vehicle; it stands as a mobile monument to his legacy of public service and international goodwill.
In an inspiring speech during the event, Young reflected on the incredible journey of Atlanta’s educational system. He expressed gratitude for the teachers who, despite facing systemic challenges, returned to the city armed with advanced degrees, thus transforming Atlanta into a beacon of progress in the South. “In the public school system, all of these teachers were bright but weren’t let into the University of Georgia and they started going to schools all over the country and paid their way back here,” Young remarked. He warmly added, “I feel all of you are my family. I think and pray about you, and it’s what’s kept me going.”
Collie Greenwood, CEO of MARTA, described the bus unveiling as a significant milestone. He expressed that these buses serve as “a rolling billboard reminder” of hope and courage. Full of admiration, Greenwood stated, “Ever since moving here as a young man in 1961, the ambassador has been shaping himself and shaping this nation, this city and from MARTA’s perspective, he’s been shaping our agency.”
The Mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens, brought his own personal touch to the moment. He recounted growing up in Atlanta inspired by Young’s work, aspiring someday to become Mayor himself. He spoke of how Young was a lasting presence throughout his life, praising the ambassador’s unwavering influence and his heartwarming presence in Atlanta’s collective consciousness.
Ambassador Andrew Young’s bus is the grand finale in a series of MARTA buses dedicated to Atlanta’s civil rights icons, rounding off a yearlong celebration marking Black History. These tributes began with a bus showcasing the Kings in January, and have honored figures like Juanita Jones Abernathy and the Lowerys each month leading up to Young’s grand moment.
Indeed, as Atlanta celebrates another lively chapter in its rich history, the bus becomes more than transportation. It becomes a moving narrative of courage, commitment, and the championing of civil rights that Andrew Young so embodies. It’s a rolling promise of hope, ensuring that history not only lives on but continues to inspire future generations.
