SARAH KEYS EVANS The Power of Quiet Courage
SARAH KEYS EVANS: The Power of Quiet Courage
By Amy Nathan with Sarah Keys Evans, authors
Jermaine Powell, illustrator /Fall 2025
North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Fall 2025
https://www.dncr.nc.gov/about-us/history/division-historical-resources/historical-publications/childrens-books
Sarah Keys Evans wasn't someone anyone thought would spend a night in a jail cell—or change the world. But trouble came Sarah's way in 1952, at a North Carolina bus station. There, dressed in her Women's Army Corps uniform, she was arrested for not moving to the back of a bus—three years before that happened to another Black woman, Rosa Parks. The Power of Quiet Courage tells how Sarah stood up for what's right and helped end that kind of unfairness. Others have now honored her by creating a monument that calls her a "Trailblazer for Justice."
REVIEW OF 'SARAH KEYS EVANS: THE POWER OF QUIET COURAGE' -- reviewed by Tamekah Wilkins, Maryland educator
Review: Sarah Keys Evans: The Power of Quiet Courage
Reviewed by: Tamekah Wilkins, M.Ed., Black Student Achievement Program Liaison, Columbia, Maryland
The Power of Quiet Courage is a poignant and essential addition to the history of the Civil Rights Movement, focusing on a figure whose story was long overshadowed by later events. Before Rosa Parks, there was Sarah Keys Evans, a Women's Army Corps private, who refused to give up her seat on a bus in 1952. The narrative highlights her determination, patience, and commitment to justice as she pursued legal action, faced adversity, and relied on support from her family and attorney in seeking fairness. This book does not just recount facts. It explores the internal strength required to stand or sit against injustice when no one is watching.
It is a masterclass in the idea that "quiet" does not mean "weak."
Why this book works well in classrooms (Grade 4 +):
--Authentic civil rights history: For 4th and 5th graders, it serves as a perfect "history detective" lesson. It challenges the common misconception that the Civil Rights Movement started in 1955 with Rosa Parks, helping students understand that progress is a cumulative effort built by many brave individuals. The book introduces students to an important but often overlooked figure in U.S. civil rights history. It grounds abstract concepts like fairness, segregation, and legal justice in the real experience of a young Army service member.
--Character Education: The "Quiet Courage" theme is excellent for social-emotional learning (SEL). It provides a framework for discussing how students can stand up for what is right in their own lives without being loud or aggressive. Sarah Keys Evans' example opens doors for meaningful conversations about quiet courage, integrity, and standing up for what is right, traits students can relate to and aspire to emulate.
--Accessible narrative: Written with upper-elementary readers in mind, the story is engaging without being overly complex, making it suitable for classroom reading and discussion for grades 4 and older.
--Character and courage discussions: Social studies and ELA integration: Teachers can connect the book to U.S. history standards (segregation, civil rights movement, military history) as well as reading comprehension themes such as character development, cause and effect, and perseverance.
--Empathy and perspective: Students can explore how individual actions contribute to broader social change, and how support systems (family, community, legal advocates) play roles in historic movements.
Overall, the book is a useful teaching tool that blends character development with historical education, promoting conversation, reflection, and a deeper understanding of justice through a narrative that is understandable to upper elementary and middle school students.