American Civil Rights pioneer Claudette Colvin, who helped kick-off the movement by refusing to give up her seat on a bus in 1955, died on Tuesday at the age of 86.

Colvin arrest on a Montgomery bus at age 15, months before Rosa Parks, helped galvanize the modern Civil Rights Movement.

Nine months before Rosa Parks made history, Ms. Colvin refused to give up her seat on a segregated city bus. She became a star witness in a civil rights case.

1 day ago · MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Civil Rights pioneer Claudette Colvin has died, her family and foundation confirmed Tuesday afternoon. She was 86.

Claudette Colvin, who helped to ignite the modern civil rights movement in the US after refusing to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus, has died aged 86.