Coretta Scott King (born April 27, 1927) near Marion, Alabama is the widow of the late civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. and a noted community leader in her own right.

She has been vocal in her opposition to capital punishment and the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, thus drawing criticism from conservative groups. Mrs. King is also a vocal advocate of women's rights, lesbian and gay rights and AIDS/HIV prevention.

There is a medal named after Mrs. King that is awarded for excellence in children's literature.

Over the years, she has not only been active in preserving the memory of her husband, but also active in other political issues. After her husband was assassinated, she attends a commemmorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta to mark her husband's birth every January 15 (now on the third Monday in January since Martin Luther King Day was proclaimed). She also has honored presidents in different occasions. Some of them include being at the state funeral of former president Lyndon Johnson, in 1973, being present when President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing Martin Luther King Day, and being present at the first inauguration of George W. Bush in 2001.

External links

• Coretta Scott King's political donations