Coretta Scott King was born on April 27, 1927, in Marion, Alabama. She was the second of three children born to Obadiah and Bernice Scott. Coretta's parents owned a farm, and she grew up in a loving and supportive household that emphasized the importance of education and hard work.
Coretta was an excellent student and graduated as valedictorian from Lincoln Normal School in Marion. She was musically talented and played both the trumpet and piano. Coretta's passion for civil rights and social justice began at an early age. She became involved in activism while studying at Antioch College in Ohio, where she joined the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
In 1953, Coretta married Martin Luther King Jr., a young Baptist minister and rising civil rights leader. The couple had met years earlier in Boston and quickly fell in love. Together, they had four children: Bernice, Yolanda, Dexter, and Martin III. Coretta supported her husband's work and became an integral part of the civil rights movement.
After Martin's assassination in 1968, Coretta took on a leadership role in continuing his work for racial equality. She founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia, and worked tirelessly to promote peace, justice, and equality for all. Coretta also became actively involved in the Women's Movement and the LGBT rights movement, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.
Coretta's contributions to the civil rights movement were widely recognized and honored. She received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. After her death in 2006, Coretta became the first African-American to lie in state at the Georgia State Capitol, a fitting tribute to her legacy of courage and activism.
Throughout her life, Coretta Scott King remained committed to creating a more just and equitable society for all. Her tireless advocacy and courageous activism have left an indelible mark on the history of the United States and the world.