Dorothy Cotton was born in 1930 in North Carolina and attended Shaw University, supporting herself by working as a housekeeper to the university president. While completing her master's degree in speech therapy in 1960, she became involved in the civil rights movement. For 12 years, she served as the Education Director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) under Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., running the Citizenship Education Program to train people on voter registration, nonviolent protest, and political participation. She continued her work with SCLC after Dr. King's assassination in 1968 and was recognized for her lifetime contributions to the civil rights movement.

1. “We all can be more......Like a caterpillar in a cocoon, you could grow wings. And when you’re ready and your wings are strong -- you can soar to great heights!” -Dorothy CottonDorothy CottonRachel Watson

2. Born: 1930 In Goldsboro, North CarolinaShe attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, Where she supported herself by working as a house keeper to the university president.While completing her work for her masters degree in Speech Therapy in 1960 she became active in the civil rights movement.

3. For the next 12 years she held the position of Education Director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. (SCLC) The only female member of his executive staff, Dorothy became one of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s closest confidantes.While at SCLC, Dorothy ran the Citizenship Education Program.

4. She participated in the civil rights movement by training the disenfranchised on the importance of political participation, voter registration, and nonviolent protest.Dorothy continued at the SCLC after Dr. King's assassination in 1968She will receive the annual National Freedom Award as part of King's inner circle and for a lifetime of work as a civil rights strategist, organizer and consultant.

5. THE ORGANIZATION:The SCLC is a nonprofit, non-sectarian, inter-faith, advocacy organization that is committed to non-violent action to achieve social, economic, and political justice.FOUNDED:February 14, 1957PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES:• Voter Registration/ Education• Conflict Resolution/ Nonviolence Training• Economic Empowerment• Health Care• Youth Development• Collegiate Chapter Development (http://sclcnational.org/net/content/default.aspx?s=0.0.12.2607 )

6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DqAtjirD5E

7. feel a sense of personal power build cooperation and harmony maintain enthusiasm and energy persist with a positive attitude overcome obstacles and challenges develop a beloved community become 'responsible' members of society Dorothy’s Vision and Values "Dorothy is one of the great women of the Movement"Reverend Andrew YoungFormer UN Ambassador and Former Mayor of Atlanta

8. Dorothy Cotton