Coretta Scott King was born in 1929 in Alabama and grew up loving music. She met Martin Luther King Jr. while studying at the Conservatory and they married in 1953. As the wife of Martin Luther King Jr., she helped advance the Civil Rights Movement despite facing resistance from her husband who wanted her to focus on their children. After Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Coretta Scott King took over his role as a civil rights leader and continued fighting for social justice causes around the world. Her legacy lives on through awards and schools established in her honor that promote leadership, equality, and education.
2. Before she became THE FIRST LADY OF CIVIL RIGHTS. Coretta was born on April 27, 1929 to Obadiah and Bernice Scott in Heiberger, Alabama. She grew up with her parents and two older siblings in Marion, Alabama where she attended Lincoln High. At high school she began to fall in love with music just like her mother. She learned how to played both the trumpet and piano and sung solos in several high school recitals.
3. The college life. After graduating from Lincoln High School, Coretta continued her education at Antioch College in Ohio. There she majored in education and music , but when she graduated she choose to become a professional singer rather than a school teacher.
4. Coretta MEETS THE king OF civil rights. While studying at the Conservatory, a friend of Coretta’s introduced her to Martin Luther King Jr., who was a young minister at the time. Although Coretta wasn’t very interested in King at that time, he knew that she would on day be his wife. On their first day he told her, “You know, you have everything I ever wanted in a woman. We ought to get married someday.” A couple of months later, Coretta and Martin were married at Coretta’s parents front lawn on June 18, 1953.
5. TheStrugglebetweenmotherhoodandcivil rightsactivist. Throughout the marriage, the Kings clashed about Coretta’s role. She wanted to help with the Civil Right’s Movement but Martin insisted that she stayed home with the children. Despite her husband’s wishes, Coretta engaged in several civil rights activities and gave Freedom Concerts to help raise money. She also helped get the Civil Rights Act passed.
6. From a wife to a widow. After her husband’s assassination, she tool over his role as the civil rights leader. After his deaf, she campaigned hard for her husband’s birthday to become a federal holiday. In 1983, Ronald Reagan signed the bill to establish Martin Luther King’s birthday as a federal holiday.
7. The fight for rights insouth africa. Coretta had a passion for social justice that went beyond the Civil Rights Movement. She was also troubled by social injustice for blacks in South Africa. She raised awareness and inspired demonstrations in the U.S. against South Africa’s racial policies, and she urged President Reagan to impose economic sanctions against South Africa.
8. Awards for africanamericanauthors. In 1970, the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table established the Coretta Scott King Award for outstanding African Americana authors writing for children. The first winner was Lillie Patterson, for her book Martin Luther King, Jr: Man of Peace. Maya Angelou was also another honoree.
9. A school for girls only. Middle school-aged girls in Atlanta can attend the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy, a public school with emphasis on leadership, character development and academic achievement.
10. The king legacy stillliveson. On January 31, 2006, Mrs. King died in Baja, California at the age of 78. Coretta Scott King’s legacy remains strong. Honors given to her after her death include governmental resolutions for a moment of silence, the dedication of Super Bowl XL in her memory.
11. ThedREAM LIVES ON. The dream of Coretta Scott and her husband, Martin Luther King, Jr. lives on through their kids.
