Wonder Women: Coretta Scott King

Outspoken activist, Coretta Scott King, lead the Civil Rights Movement along with her husband, Martin Luther King, Jr., and continued to fight for the rights of women, the LGBT community, and children throughout her lifetime.

In 1986, after many years of King’s efforts, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was named a federal holiday honoring her late husband and his achievements in civil rights.

Formally trained as a concert singer at the New England Conservatory of Music, King went on to lending her voice to many marginalised groups taking bold stances in the name of feminism and equality for lesbians and gays.

“I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people.”

Coretta Scott King built her own legacy long after Dr. King’s assassination. Although history may downplay women’s involvement, she believed that "women are the backbone" of our communities and human rights movements - may we take her lead.