Coretta Scott was born in Marion, Alabama, on April 27, 1927. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

She received a B.A. in music and education. She then studied concert singing at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts with a degree in voice and violin.

Coretta Scott met Martin Luther King Jr., who was pursuing a doctorate at Boston University. They married on June 18,1953. Four children were born to this union:Yolanda Denise, Martin LutherIII,Dexter ScottAndBernice Albertine.

Coretta Scott King- Activist and Guardian of the Civil Rights

Movement and the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who

was assassinated in April 1968 .

Coretta King campaigned for a national holiday to honor her late husband and was present when President Reagan signed the law

in 1983 setting aside the third Monday each January to observe the

late civil rights leader's birthday.

Continuing The Mission:She spoke out "on behalf of racial and economic justice, women's and children's rights, gay and lesbian dignity, religious freedom, the needs of the poor and homeless, full employment, health care, educational opportunities, nuclear disarmament and ecological conditions.

Coretta Scott King -founder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change

Coretta Scott King was regularly an honored guest

with celebrities, dignitaries, politicians. Tennis Champions Venus & Serena Williams and President Bill Clinton

Coretta Scott King was a special guest on the popular

Oprah Winfrey show. Also she was given a special musical tribute by multi-platinum, multi-Grammy Award winner, singer, song-writer Stevie Wonder.

Coretta Scott King was a devoted mother, wife, sister, friend and passionate about all individuals Civil Rights and their

Constitutional rights to the pursuit of happiness.

Coretta Scott King was recognized as:‘The Matriarch of the Civil Rights Movement‘, “The First Lady of Civil Rights” & “Keeper of the Peace.”

Program Presented by:

West County GAIN Special Programs Committee

Stacey Boykin, M.S. Cathy Logan, DDD

LaMonica Chatman Dedrick Simpson

Lula Hill Melvina Jones

Heather Gardner Felicia Whittaker

Patricia Torres Joyce M. Holland, M.A

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Research & PowerPoint Slide Presentation by:

Joyce M. Holland

February 28, 2006