Coretta Scott King
Behind every strong man is an even stronger women and Mrs. Coretta Scott King is the definition of a strong women. Unlike some wives of important public figures, Coretta did not let the success and legacy of her husband cast her in his shadow. Instead she worked alongside her beloved husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the fight for equality and continued to do so after his death.
Since the very beginning Coretta had been destined for greatness. On April 27, 1927, in Marion, Alabama Coretta Scott was born. As a young girl Coretta graduated from her high school, Lincoln High school as the Valedictorian of her class. She was also well known for her love of the violin and singing. After graduation she attended the Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she soon was granted a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and education—but this was not her last stop in her collegiate journey. Ms. Scott was granted a fellowship to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and she greatly accepted.
While she was studying for her second degree in voice and violin, Coretta met with her soon to be husband Martin Luther King Jr. Not long after her graduation Ms. Coretta Scott became Mrs. Coretta Scott King. They then move to Montgomery Alabama and took the duties as pastor and pastor’s wife at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.
Coretta was more than just the pastor’s wife. She was a mother of four, a civil rights activist, and active participant in her community. In her community she functioned as the voice of reason for the poor and the oppressed. She held a number of Freedom concerts which showcased music and spoken word of her people. These concerts raised funds that contributed to organization like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Mrs. King traveled the world by her husband’s side spreading the ideals of equality, non-violence and faith.
After Martin’s brutal assassination in 1968, Coretta dedicated her life to continuing the legacy that she and her husband had created. In Atlanta, Georgia Mrs. King created the Kings Center, which houses the largest archive of Dr. King and his movement. She along with others began the massive educational and lobbying campaign to establish Dr. King’s birthday as a national holiday. Finally in 1983, an act of Congress instituted the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission, where Coretta was the chairman. January of 1986, Mrs. King was able to see her hard work pay off when MLK Day was finally instituted as a national holiday and is celebrated worldwide to this day.
Until the day she left us, Coretta spent her days speaking at rallies, created coalitions and spread the words of justice worldwide. She never let the dream die. She is one of the most influential political leaders to date. Both she and her husband dedicated their lives to better the lives and well-being of others, and because of them we can!
HCXO!