Since 1945, numerous key individuals have been associated with civil and human rights movements in the United States and Europe. Here are some notable figures from each region:
### United States:
1. **Martin Luther King Jr.** - A central figure in the American civil rights movement, he advocated for nonviolent resistance and delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
2. **Rosa Parks** - Known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, her refusal to give up her seat to a white man became a symbol of the struggle against racial segregation.
3. **Malcolm X** - A prominent civil rights leader who advocated for black empowerment and the use of more militant strategies compared to more traditional civil rights leaders.
4. **Ella Baker** - A grassroots organizer who played a key role in the civil rights movement, co-founding the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
5. **John Lewis** - A leader in the civil rights movement who was a key figure in the Selma to Montgomery marches and later served as a U.S. Congressman.
6. **Fannie Lou Hamer** - A civil rights activist who worked toward voting rights for African Americans and was a key figure in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
7. **Bayard Rustin** - A civil rights organizer and strategist who was instrumental in the planning of the March on Washington.
8. **Larry Kramer** - An activist for rights and AIDS awareness, co-founder of the Menβs Health Crisis, and founder of ACT UP.
### Europe:
1. **Nelson Mandela** - While primarily associated with anti-apartheid efforts in South Africa, his work had global implications for human rights and inspired movements in Europe and beyond.
2. **Desmond Tutu** - An Anglican bishop and social rights activist who was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement and highlighted human rights issues globally.
3. **Simone de Beauvoir** - A philosopher and feminist who contributed significantly to women's rights and gender equality in France and across Europe.
4. **Aung San Suu Kyi** - A pro-democracy leader in Myanmar, her work has had an influence on global human rights discussions; notable for her long-standing resistance against military rule.
5. **Greta Thunberg** - A climate activist whose work has galvanized youth movements across Europe and advocates for environmental justice as a human rights issue.
6. **Malala Yousafzai** - An activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, she became an international symbol of the fight for girls' rights to education.
7. **Amnesty International Founders** - Peter Benenson founded Amnesty International in 1961, advocating for human rights and focusing on political prisoners globally.
These individuals played significant roles in advocating for civil and human rights, influencing policies, and inspiring movements that sought equality, justice, and freedom in their respective regions.