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Coretta Scott King Facts

Coretta Scott King Facts
Coretta Scott King was an American civil rights leader, author and activist, and wife of Martin Luther King Jr. She was born Coretta Scott on April 27, 1927, in Marion, Alabama, to Bernice McMurry Scott and Obadiah Scott. Coretta began working at the age of 10 to help increase the income of her family and at the age of 12 attended Lincoln Normal School. She was considered a tomboy as a child. She attended high school in Marion because of segregation and the fact that it was the closest school for African American students. Coretta graduated as valedictorian in 1945 and was accepted to Antioch College in Ohio during her senior high school year. It was a historically white college that was giving scholarships to non-white students. While at college Coretta joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Interesting Coretta Scott King Facts:
As a child Coretta picked cotton to help with money for her family.
Coretta's older sister Edythe was one of the first African-American students to attend Antioch College. Coretta followed a few years afterwards.
Coretta had a talent for singing and violin. She transferred from Antioch College to the New England Conservatory of Music. She studied violin and voice while there on scholarship.
While attending the Conservatory her friend introduced her to Martin Luther King Jr. He was young minister from Atlanta at the time.
Martin Luther King Jr. was immediately in love with Coretta and told her on their first date that they should get married one day.
Coretta Scott married Martin Luther King Jr. on June 18, 1953. Martin Luther King Sr. performed the ceremony at Coretta's parent's home.
Coretta and Martin Luther King Jr. often clashed about what her role should be. She wanted to be heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement but he wanted her home raising their four children.
Coretta managed to do both. She raised their four children and made speeches, while giving Freedom Concerts to benefit the Civil Rights Movement.
The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964.
In 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Coretta took the role of leader of the Civil Rights Movement after Josephine Baker declined the offer.
Coretta Scott King campaigned to create a national holiday in honor of her husband. In 1983, after she had lobbied for 14 years, President Reagan signed the bill establishing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday in the United States.
It took until 2000 before all 50 states began observing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Coretta Scott King also raised awareness for the apartheid in South Africa, gay rights, and was devoted to world peace.
The Coretta Scott King Award for outstanding African American authors was established in 1970. Honorees have included Sidney Poitier and Maya Angelou, among others.
Coretta Scott King has been honoured with a forest, a public school, dedication of the Super Bowl XL, and a song.
Coretta Scott King died on January 30, 2006, at the age of 78 in Rosarito Beach, Mexico.


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