Mrs. Coretta Scott King

Since today is Martin Luther King Day, I thought it would be appropriate to step away from the usual Mademoiselle Monday post to feature, instead, a post on Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Certainly we could have devoted a “Mademoiselle Monday” to her, but since we all know that part of the greatness of her legacy was her union with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., perhaps “Madame Monday” would have been more appropriate. Yes, I know, today is technically his day, but as we all know, behind every good man is a good woman.

When I think about Mrs. King, I think about about how brave she was. I have to think that her heart must have been torn at times between improving the state of inequality in this country and the safety of her own family. Regardless of the situation though, she stood behind her husband with her head up high and supported him in every way. She was beautiful both inside and out, and I have to believe a great force behind her husband (as she proved to be on her own as well). To support him, tend to her children and always remain looking like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine couldn’t have been easy.

When Mrs. King sat in her boudoir in the evening all alone, I wonder what she thought about? Perhaps these quotes from her will give you some insight into who Mrs. King really was…

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“When it’s just us, I can be myself and know you’ll love and understand me no matter what. You don’t want anything from me except my happiness.”
– Coretta Scott King


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“There is a spirit and a need and a man at the beginning of every great human advance. Every one of these must be right for that particular moment of history, or nothing happens.”
– Coretta Scott King

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“Segregation was wrong when it was forced by white people, and I believe it is still wrong when it is requested by black people.”
– Coretta Scott King

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“If American women would increase their voting turnout by ten percent, I think we would see an end to all of the budget cuts in programs benefiting women and children.”
– Coretta Scott King

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“Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.”
– Coretta Scott King

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“I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation.”
– Coretta Scott King

Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

“Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.”
– Coretta Scott King

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“This valuable first-hand account of the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott, written by an important, behind-the-scenes organizer, evokes the emotional intensity of the civil rights struggle. It ought to be required reading for all Americans who value their freedom and the contribution of Black women to our history.”
– Coretta Scott King

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“Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience. I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others.”
– Coretta Scott King

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“Today is not merely a holiday, but a true holy day which honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Junior in the best possible way.”
– Coretta Scott King

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