Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King (April 27, 1927 – January 30, 2006) was an American author, activist, and civil rights leader. She was the wife of Martin Luther King Jr., and a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement in her own right. Coretta Scott King played a crucial role in advocating for African-American equality and was active in the Women's Movement and the LGBT rights movement.

Early Life and Education

Coretta Scott was born in Heiberger, Alabama, to Obadiah "Obie" Scott and Bernice McMurry Scott. She was raised in a family that valued education and equality. Coretta attended the Lincoln Normal School, a private institution for African-American students, where she excelled academically and musically.

After graduating as the valedictorian of her high school class, Coretta received a scholarship to attend Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. At Antioch, she studied music and education, and became politically active, joining the NAACP and the college's Race Relations and Civil Liberties Committees.

Marriage to Martin Luther King Jr.

Coretta Scott met Martin Luther King Jr. while she was a student at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. They married on June 18, 1953, and had four children: Yolanda King, Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott King, and Bernice King.

Role in the Civil Rights Movement

Coretta Scott King was an active participant in the civil rights movement. She worked alongside her husband, organizing and participating in protests and marches, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

After Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968, Coretta continued to advocate for civil rights. She founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia, to preserve and promote her husband's legacy.

Advocacy and Later Life

Coretta Scott King was a strong advocate for women's rights and LGBT rights. She spoke out against apartheid in South Africa and supported the rights of the poor and disadvantaged.

In 1983, she successfully lobbied for the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday, which was first observed in 1986.

Coretta Scott King passed away on January 30, 2006, in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. Her legacy continues to inspire activists around the world.

Legacy

Coretta Scott King's contributions to the civil rights movement and her advocacy for social justice have left a lasting impact. She is remembered as a tireless advocate for equality and peace.

References

• The King Center
• Biography of Coretta Scott King

External Links

• Nobel Prize Biography of Martin Luther King Jr.