Coretta Scott King

Born on April 27, 1927, Coretta Scott King grew to become an important player in the civil rights movement as an activist fighting for peace and equity around the world. This energy and drive was no surprise to her parents. She was fiesty, could run faster, and she was stronger than other children she grew up with.

Although becoming educated as an African American during this time was difficult (due to racism) Coretta worked hard in her studies (taking her mother's advice) and graduated sixth grade at the head of her class.

In high school she graduated as valedictorian and she decided to follow her sister to Antioch College (where she won a scholarship). Thoughout her studies she was racially discriminated against in many ways. She would talk to those people in authority, but they would ignore her. She decided to take action and join the NAACP. Coretta became very active in the local branch of the NAACP and graduated with a teaching degree. She took the words of Horace Mann, the founder of Antioch College, to heart: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."

After graduating from college, Coretta applied to the New England Conservatory of Music and moved to Boston. Things changed in the year 1952. Her friend gave her number a young man who wanted to meet her (who was attending Boston University). On June 18, 1953, Coretta decided to marry this man. This man was Martin Luther King, Jr.. By 1964 they had four children. But this did not slow her down from the passion to fight for civil rights. She raised thousands of dollars for organizations to continue the the quests. She ended up traveling all over the world to help influence change and promote nonviolence. In 1968, whe won the Woman of the Year Award given by the National Association of Radio and Television Announcers.

After her husband's death she vowed to keep his memory alive. The need to fight against inequality and discrimination was her quest. She changed the world for the good of humankind.

This pictures provided a life story to go along with the books message. Photographs of Coretta as a young girl, when she was married, her children, and the marches that she was involved in were captured on the pages.