THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT
Coretta Scott King
April 27, 1927 – January 30, 2006
“Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.”
Author, activist, civil rights leader. Referred to as “First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement.” One of the founders of The Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (now called Peace Action), 1957. After her husband’s assassination in 1968, became active in the Women’s Movement, serving on the NOW national board; an advocate for LGBTQ rights and the struggle for racial equality. Urged amendment of Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include gays and lesbians as a protected class, 1983. Founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, 1969. Sought to make his birthday a national holiday more than a decade, succeeding in 1983. Credited by historians for mobilizing African-American voters. First African-American to lie in state at Georgia State Capitol. United States House of Representatives presented House Resolution 655 in honor of her legacy, honoring her life and accomplishments, contributions as a leader in the struggle for civil rights, August, 2006. Bachelor of Arts, music and education, Antioch College, 1951. New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, 1954.
![#3 Coretta Scott King with Bella Abzug, National Women’s Conference, 1977](https://i0.wp.com/veteranfeministsofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/3-Coretta-Scott-King-with-Bella-Abzug-National-Womens-Conference-1977-e1680368112201-300x177.jpg?resize=300%2C177&ssl=1)
Photo. Coretta Scott King with Bella Abzug, National Women’s Conference, 1977.
![#2 Coretta_Scott_King_at_the_Democratic_National_Convention_New_York_City-1024×684](https://i0.wp.com/veteranfeministsofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2-Coretta_Scott_King_at_the_Democratic_National_Convention_New_York_City-1024x684-1-e1680368196337-460x295.jpg?resize=460%2C295&ssl=1)
New York City. (Photo: Library of Congress)
More About Coretta:
- Obituary, New York Times
- Coretta Scott King Center, Antioch College
- The King Center, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
- Coretta Scott King, Academy of Achievement
- Coretta Scott King, The Archive and Black Feminist Methods
- Coretta Scott King, a Revolutionary Woman.” Ms. Magazine
- Coretta Scott King and the Civil-Rights Era’s Hidden Women,” The Atlantic
- Coretta Scott King, National Women’s Hall of Fame
- Select Interviews, Videos:
- Coretta Scott King, Wikipedia