Pioneer of Civil Rights Coretta Scott King Date of birth: April 27, 1927 Date of death: January 31,...

Pioneer of Civil RightsPioneer of Civil RightsCoretta Scott KingCoretta Scott King

Date of birth: April 27, 1927Date of birth: April 27, 1927

Date of death: January 31, 2006Date of death: January 31, 2006

Biography: Coretta Scott KingBiography: Coretta Scott King1927~20061927~2006

““WHEN you are willing to make WHEN you are willing to make sacrifices for a great cause, you will sacrifices for a great cause, you will never be alone.”never be alone.”

Coretta Scott KingCoretta Scott King

She was born in Heiberger, Alabama.She was born in Heiberger, Alabama.She graduated in 1945 and received She graduated in 1945 and received

a scholarship to Antioch college in a scholarship to Antioch college in Yellow Springs, Ohio.Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Academy of AchievementAcademy of Achievement

As an undergraduate, she took an active As an undergraduate, she took an active interest in the nascent civil rights interest in the nascent civil rights movement; she joined the Antioch chapter movement; she joined the Antioch chapter of the NAACP, and the college’s Race of the NAACP, and the college’s Race Relations and Civil Liberties Committees. Relations and Civil Liberties Committees.

She graduated from Antioch with a B.A. in She graduated from Antioch with a B.A. in music and education and won a music and education and won a scholarship to study concert singing at scholarship to study concert singing at New England Conservatory of Music in New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.Boston, Massachusetts.

Coretta Scott KingCoretta Scott King

In Boston she met a young theology In Boston she met a young theology student, Martin Luther King, Jr., and her life student, Martin Luther King, Jr., and her life was changed forever.was changed forever.

They were married on June 18, 1953, in a They were married on June 18, 1953, in a ceremony conducted by the groom’s father, ceremony conducted by the groom’s father, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. the Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr.

After she completed her degree in voice and After she completed her degree in voice and violin at the NEC, they moved in Sept. 1954 violin at the NEC, they moved in Sept. 1954 to Montgomery, Alabama, where Martin to Montgomery, Alabama, where Martin Luther King Jr. had accepted an Luther King Jr. had accepted an appointment as Pastor of the Dexter Avenue appointment as Pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.Baptist Church.

Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King 1927~20061927~2006

When When Rosa Parks refused to yield her seat on a Montgomery city bus to a white passenger, she was arrested for violating the city’s ordinances giving white passengers preferential treatment in public conveyances.

Under Martin Luther King Jr. ’s leadership organized a boycott of the Montgomery bus drew the attention of the world to the continued injustice of segregation in the United States, and led to court decisions striking down all local ordinances separating the races in public transit.


Dr. King’s eloquent advocacy of Dr. King’s eloquent advocacy of nonviolent civil disobedience soon nonviolent civil disobedience soon made him the most recognizable made him the most recognizable face of the civil rights movement, face of the civil rights movement, and he was called on to lead and he was called on to lead marches in city after city, with Mrs. marches in city after city, with Mrs. King at his side, inspiring the King at his side, inspiring the citizens, black and white, to defy the citizens, black and white, to defy the segregation laws.segregation laws.


The visibility of Dr. King’s leadership attracted The visibility of Dr. King’s leadership attracted fierce opposition from the supporters of fierce opposition from the supporters of institutionalized racism.institutionalized racism.

In 1956, white supremacists bombed the King In 1956, white supremacists bombed the King family home in Montgomery. family home in Montgomery.

She conceived and performed a series of critically She conceived and performed a series of critically acclaimed Freedom concerts, combining poetry, acclaimed Freedom concerts, combining poetry, narration and music to tell the story of the Civil narration and music to tell the story of the Civil Rights movement.Rights movement.

Over the next few years, Mrs. King staged Over the next few years, Mrs. King staged Freedom Concerts in some of America’s most Freedom Concerts in some of America’s most distinguished concert venues, as fundraisers for distinguished concert venues, as fundraisers for the organization her husband had founded, the the organization her husband had founded, the Southern Christian Leadership conference.Southern Christian Leadership conference.


In 1957, Dr. King and Mrs. King journeyed In 1957, Dr. King and Mrs. King journeyed to Africa to celebrate the independence of to Africa to celebrate the independence of Ghana. Ghana.

In 1959, they made a pilgrimage to India In 1959, they made a pilgrimage to India to honor the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, to honor the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, whose philosophy of nonviolence had whose philosophy of nonviolence had inspired them. inspired them.

In 1964, Mrs. King accompanied her In 1964, Mrs. King accompanied her husband when he traveled to Oslo, Norway husband when he traveled to Oslo, Norway to accept the to accept the Nobel Prize for PeaceNobel Prize for Peace..


In 1960s, Dr. King broadened his message and his In 1960s, Dr. King broadened his message and his activism to embrace causes of international activism to embrace causes of international peace and economic justice. Mrs. King found peace and economic justice. Mrs. King found herself in increasing demand as a public speaker. herself in increasing demand as a public speaker.

She became a first woman to deliver the Class She became a first woman to deliver the Class Day address at Harvard, and the first woman to Day address at Harvard, and the first woman to preach at a statutory service at St. Paul’s preach at a statutory service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Cathedral in London.

She served as a Women’s Strike for Peace She served as a Women’s Strike for Peace delegate to the 17-nation Disarmament delegate to the 17-nation Disarmament Conference in Geneva, Switzerland in 1962.Conference in Geneva, Switzerland in 1962.

Mrs. King became a liaison to international peace Mrs. King became a liaison to international peace and justice organizations even before Dr. King and justice organizations even before Dr. King took a public stand in 1967 against United States took a public stand in 1967 against United States intervention in the Vietnam War.intervention in the Vietnam War.


On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Channeling her grief, Mrs. King Memphis, Tennessee. Channeling her grief, Mrs. King concentrated her energies on fulfilling her husband’s work concentrated her energies on fulfilling her husband’s work by building the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent by building the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change as a living memorial to her husband’s life Social Change as a living memorial to her husband’s life and dream. Years of planning, fundraising and lobbying, lay and dream. Years of planning, fundraising and lobbying, lay ahead, but Mrs. King would not be deterred, nor did she ahead, but Mrs. King would not be deterred, nor did she neglect direct involvement in the causes her husband had neglect direct involvement in the causes her husband had championed. championed.

In 1969, Coretta Scott King published the first volume of her In 1969, Coretta Scott King published the first volume of her autobiography, autobiography, My Life with Martin Luther King JrMy Life with Martin Luther King Jr. .

In 1970s, Mrs. King maintained her husband’s commitment In 1970s, Mrs. King maintained her husband’s commitment to the cause of economic justice. to the cause of economic justice.

In 1974, she formed the Full Employment Action Council, a In 1974, she formed the Full Employment Action Council, a broad coalition of over 100 religious, labor, business, civil broad coalition of over 100 religious, labor, business, civil and women’s rights organizations dedicated to a national and women’s rights organizations dedicated to a national policy of full employment and equal economic opportunity; policy of full employment and equal economic opportunity; Mrs. King served as Co-Chair of the Council.Mrs. King served as Co-Chair of the Council.


In 1981, the King Center, opened to public. The Center receives over one million In 1981, the King Center, opened to public. The Center receives over one million visitors a year, and has trained tens of thousands of students, teachers, visitors a year, and has trained tens of thousands of students, teachers, community leaders and administrations in Dr. King’s philosophy and strategy of community leaders and administrations in Dr. King’s philosophy and strategy of nonviolence through seminars, workshops and training programs.nonviolence through seminars, workshops and training programs.

Mrs. King continued to serve the cause of justice and human rights; her travels Mrs. King continued to serve the cause of justice and human rights; her travels took her throughout the world on goodwill missions to Africa, Latin America, took her throughout the world on goodwill missions to Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia.Europe and Asia.

In 1983, she marked the 20In 1983, she marked the 20thth Anniversary of the historic March on Washington, Anniversary of the historic March on Washington, by leading a gathering of more than 800 human rights organizations, the by leading a gathering of more than 800 human rights organizations, the Coalition of Conscience, in the largest demonstration the capital city has seen Coalition of Conscience, in the largest demonstration the capital city has seen up to that time. up to that time.

Mrs. King led the successful campaign to establish Dr. King’s birthday, January Mrs. King led the successful campaign to establish Dr. King’s birthday, January 15, as a national holiday in the United States. By the Act of Congress, the first 15, as a national holiday in the United States. By the Act of Congress, the first national observance of the holiday took place in 1986. Dr. King’s birthday is now national observance of the holiday took place in 1986. Dr. King’s birthday is now marked by annual celebrations in over 100 countries. marked by annual celebrations in over 100 countries.

In 1993, Mrs. King was invited by President Clinton to witness the historic In 1993, Mrs. King was invited by President Clinton to witness the historic handshake between Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Chairman Yassir Arafat at handshake between Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Chairman Yassir Arafat at the signing of the Middle East Peace Accords.the signing of the Middle East Peace Accords.

In 1985, Mrs. King and three of her children were arrested at the South African In 1985, Mrs. King and three of her children were arrested at the South African embassy in Washington, D.C., for protesting against that country’s apartheid embassy in Washington, D.C., for protesting against that country’s apartheid system of racial segregation and disenfranchisement. 10 years later, she stood system of racial segregation and disenfranchisement. 10 years later, she stood with Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg when he was sword in as President of with Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg when he was sword in as President of South Africa.South Africa.


After 27 years at the helm of The King After 27 years at the helm of The King Center, Mrs. King turned over leadership of Center, Mrs. King turned over leadership of the Center to her son, Dexter Scott King, in the Center to her son, Dexter Scott King, in 1995.1995.

She remained active in the causes of racial She remained active in the causes of racial and economic justice, and in her remaining and economic justice, and in her remaining years devoted much of her energy to AIDS years devoted much of her energy to AIDS education and curbing gun violence. education and curbing gun violence.

Although she died in 2006 at the age of Although she died in 2006 at the age of 78, she remains and inspirational figure to 78, she remains and inspirational figure to men and women around the world.men and women around the world.


Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King speaks at a peace speaks at a peace demonstration in demonstration in Washington, Washington, D.C.,1970D.C.,1970


Martin Luther King Martin Luther King Jr. eats Sunday Jr. eats Sunday dinner with his dinner with his wife, Coretta Scott wife, Coretta Scott King, and their King, and their young children at young children at home in Atlanta.home in Atlanta.


Dr. Martin Luther Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King during a news during a news conference conference following the following the announcement that announcement that he had been he had been awarded the Nobel awarded the Nobel Peace Price.Peace Price.


Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King plays piano and plays piano and sings with her sings with her children Yolanda, children Yolanda, Marty, and Bernice Marty, and Bernice at home after at home after church.church.


Martin Luther King, Martin Luther King, Jr. with his wife Jr. with his wife Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King and colleagues and colleagues during the famous during the famous march from Selma, march from Selma, Alabama, to the Alabama, to the state capital in state capital in Montgomery , Montgomery , March 1965March 1965


Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta and his wife Coretta march together along march together along a rural Mississippi a rural Mississippi road with the March road with the March Against Fear.Against Fear.


Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King displaying her book displaying her book My Life With Martin My Life With Martin Luther King Jr.Luther King Jr. February 9, 1970February 9, 1970


Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King and her daughters, and her daughters, Yolanda and Yolanda and Bernice, talk with a Bernice, talk with a fellow parishioner fellow parishioner outside Ebenezer outside Ebenezer Baptist Church in Baptist Church in Atlanta.Atlanta.


Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King holds her sleeping holds her sleeping daughter Bernice daughter Bernice at the funeral of at the funeral of her husband, her husband, Martin Luther King Martin Luther King Jr.Jr.


Braving death threats and surviving the bombing of their Braving death threats and surviving the bombing of their home by white supremacists, Coretta Scott King stood by home by white supremacists, Coretta Scott King stood by the cause and her husband, from the Birmingham jail to the the cause and her husband, from the Birmingham jail to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, from the March on steps of the Lincoln Memorial, from the March on Washington, to a stage in Oslo, Norway where he accepted Washington, to a stage in Oslo, Norway where he accepted the Nobel Prize for Peace. After his assassination, she the Nobel Prize for Peace. After his assassination, she inspired the world with her courage, dignity and tireless inspired the world with her courage, dignity and tireless devotion to preserving Dr. King's legacy. devotion to preserving Dr. King's legacy.

When her husband was assassinated in Memphis, When her husband was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968, Coretta King took it for granted that Tennessee, in 1968, Coretta King took it for granted that she would continue his work. Just four days after his death she would continue his work. Just four days after his death she led a march of fifty thousand people through the she led a march of fifty thousand people through the streets of Memphis, and later that year she took his place in streets of Memphis, and later that year she took his place in the Poor People’s March to Washington.the Poor People’s March to Washington.


As founding President, Chair, and Chief Executive Officer of As founding President, Chair, and Chief Executive Officer of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social ChangeThe Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, she , she saw that tens of thousands of activists from all over the world were saw that tens of thousands of activists from all over the world were trained in the philosophy and practice of nonviolence. She has served trained in the philosophy and practice of nonviolence. She has served as an advisor to freedom and democracy movements all over the as an advisor to freedom and democracy movements all over the world, and as a consultant to world leaders including President world, and as a consultant to world leaders including President Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, President Kenneth Kaunda of Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, and President Nelson Mandela of South Africa. One of the Zambia, and President Nelson Mandela of South Africa. One of the world's most admired women, she remained an outspoken champion world's most admired women, she remained an outspoken champion of justice and human dignity to the end of her days. of justice and human dignity to the end of her days.


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Pioneer of Civil Rights Coretta Scott King Date of birth: April 27, 1927 Date of death: January 31,...

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