Juanita Abernathy, A Key Leader In Civil Rights Movement, Dies

In this 2015 photo, civil rights activist Juanita Abernathy speaks after being honored at a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation awards dinner. Abernathy, who wrote the business plan for the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and took other important steps in building the civil rights movement, died Thursday at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta following complications from a stroke. She was 88.

Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press file

Juanita Abernathy, who wrote the business plan for the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and took other influential steps in helping to build the American civil rights movement, died Thursday. She was 88.

Family spokesman James Peterson confirmed Abernathy died at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta following complications from a stroke.

In a statement, Peterson said Abernathy died surrounded by her three children and four grandchildren.