Freedom’s Sisters: Coretta Scott King

An icon of the Civil Rights movement, Coretta Scott King was not just the wife of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, but a leader and activist herself, from her Freedom Concerts to her support of freedom movements around the world.  There is so much to say about this amazing and inspiring woman; here are some of the many places you can read about her life:

The King Center,  The Academy of Achievement, Women’s History (Gale Learning)

She fought tirelessly for the civil rights of ALL people:

“Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood.”

She wrote MY LIFE WITH MARTIN LUTHER KING (Puffin 1994) and many books have been written about her:

Also, a book award named in her honor (Coretta Scott King Book Awards) is given to children’s book authors annually by the American Library Association — here are the 2010 winners (both excellent books!):

And finally, a beautiful quote from this beautiful person:

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, … a heart of grace and a soul generated by love.”