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.
Photo. Coretta Scott King with Bella Abzug, National Women’s Conference, 1977.
Coretta Scott King at the Democratic National Convention,
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