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 Corettas introduced
her to Martin Luther King Jr., who was a young minister at the
time.
Although Coretta wasnt 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 Corettas parents front lawn on June 18,
1953.
5. TheStrugglebetweenmotherhoodandcivil rightsactivist.
Throughout the marriage, the Kings clashed about Corettas role. She
wanted to help with the Civil Rights Movement but Martin insisted
that she stayed home with the children.
Despite her husbands 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 husbands assassination, she tool over his role as the
civil rights leader.
After his deaf, she campaigned hard for her husbands birthday to
become a federal holiday.
In 1983,Ronald Reagan signed the bill to establish Martin Luther
Kings 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 Africas 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 Womens 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 Kings 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.
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