Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King, Jr., was a figure who was every bit as strong, every bit as committed, every bit as courageous — and every bit as ready to forge America’s awakening on race and social justice.
Coretta was born on April 27, 1927 and died on Jan. 30, 2006. Here are some moments from her life.
Coretta Scott was the valedictorian of Lincoln High School in Marion, Ala. (She is seen here in her high school yearbook.) She went on to receive a B.A. in music and education from Antioch College, before studying concert singing at the New England Conservatory of Music.
This family photo of the King family, made in 1963 shows from left, Martin Luther King III, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Dexter on her lap and daughter Yolanda.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
During the Civil Rights Movement, Coretta Scott King was known publicly as the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr's wife, but those close the the Movement knew she was much more than that. In this photo from 1964, Coretta carries daughter Bernice, while taking a Sunday stroll in Atlanta with Martin Luther King, Jr., father-in-law Martin Luther King, Sr., son Dexter, sister-in-law Christine King Farris, son Martin Luther King III and daughter Yolanda.
Credit: Hugh Stovall
Credit: Hugh Stovall
Coretta often accompanied her husband in civil rights marches. In this 1966 march, John Lewis, (far right), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (third from right), his wife Coretta Scott King, Ralph David Abernathy (second left), lead protestors from Atlanta University to the Georgia state Capitol.
In the mid-1960s, Coretta Scott King gave a series of 'Freedom Concerts' to benefit the Civil Rights Movement.
Credit: Ben Fernandez
Credit: Ben Fernandez
Coretta and Martin pose for a portrait at home in Atlanta, March, 1968. Martin would be assassinated only weeks later.
Credit: MONETA J. SLEET, JR.
Credit: MONETA J. SLEET, JR.
Coretta Scott King and her daughter Bernice, 5, are shown April 9, 1968, attending the funeral of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Atlanta, in this Pulitzer-prize winning file photograph taken by Moneta J. Sleet, Jr., the first African-American to win a Pulitzer Prize for photography.
Coretta Scott King, widow of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is seen at her home in Atlanta, Ga., in May 28, 1968, one month after the assassination of her husband. She turned a life shattered by her husband's assassination into one devoted to enshrining his legacy of human rights and equality.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
In this photo from the 1980s, Bernard LaFayette (left), Coretta Scott King and Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson speak at a press conference concerning the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change building on Auburn Avenue.
Credit: Johnny Crawford
Credit: Johnny Crawford
As part of Atlanta's bid to host the Olympics, Coretta Scott King in April, 1990, showed members of the International Olympic Committee the medals in which her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King won during his life time. The IOC awarded the bid to Atlanta the following September.
Credit: GREG LOVETT
Credit: GREG LOVETT
Coretta Scott King carried the Olympic torch Friday, July 19, 1996 prior to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. King carried the torch, then passed it to her son Dexter in front of King Chapel at Morehouse College. The opening ceremonies of the Games were held that night.
Credit: JOHN BAZEMORE
Credit: JOHN BAZEMORE
Coretta Scott King speaks at a commemorative service honoring her late husband at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Monday, Jan. 20, 1997. Coretta was instrumental in getting Martin Luther King Day accepted as a national holiday.
Credit: Billy Smith II
Credit: Billy Smith II
In this 2005 photo, a four-year old admirer shakes the hand of Coretta Scott King during a book signing session held at the King Center Sunday afternoon. Late into life, Coretta continued to be the public face of the King family and the keeper of her husband's legacy.
Credit: W.A. BRIDGES JR.
Credit: W.A. BRIDGES JR.
Coretta Scott King gets a standing ovation as she makes a surprise appearance at the Salute To Greatness Awards Dinner Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006. A stroke the previous August had rendered her unable to speak. It was her last public appearance before her death the next month.
A portrait of Coretta Scott King sits in the Capitol rotunda behind black curtains on Feb. 3, 2006 in preparations for her body to lie in state Saturday.
The March 21 documentary 'The Last Days of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.' on Channel 2 kicked off a countdown of remembrance across the combined platforms of Channel 2 and its partners, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB Radio.
The three Atlanta news sources will release comprehensive multi-platform content until April 9, the anniversary of King’s funeral.
On April 4, the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, the three properties will devote extensive live coverage to the memorials in Atlanta, Memphis and around the country.
The project will present a living timeline in real time as it occurred on that day in 1968, right down to the time the fatal shot was fired that ended his life an hour later.
The project will culminate on April 9 with coverage of the special processional in Atlanta marking the path of Dr. King’s funeral, which was watched by the world.
