She urged us to live ‘Dream’
Change the world, Coretta Scott King told Spokane women during a YWCA event in 2000.
Vote. Write letters. Picket events that promote violence or sexism. Launch boycotts, if that’s what it takes.
“You can’t just wait for justice,” she said that day. “You have to compel change.”
It was a subject the widow of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. knew well. She had been his partner in nonviolent change and continued the work long after his 1968 assassination, earning the title “first lady of the civil rights movement.”
Coretta Scott King’s death Tuesday drew condolences from around the world – including a tribute at the start of President Bush’s State of the Union address – and led mourners to pile flowers on Martin Luther King Jr.’s grave in Atlanta.
She was remembered in Spokane, as well, where many were touched by her words six years ago. Here’s what they had to say:
“We’re proud to have had a woman of this caliber to be a spokesman – not only for African American women, but for all women – to speak for our civil rights and our human rights, to let women of the world know we ought to be honored and valued.”
Ruth N. Nichols, member of the Spokane Northwest Black Pioneers
“She continued to pursue ‘The Dream’ long after her husband’s death in 1968. As we celebrate Black History Month, let us take time to reflect upon the great contributions of African American women like Coretta Scott King, who dedicated their lives to peace and justice. Who, like Rosa Parks before her, is now ‘free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, free at last.’ ”
Bob Bartlett, director of multicultural education at Gonzaga University
“She was a giant in her own right, a quiet giant who was always by (Martin Luther King Jr.’s) side, who shared his dream of making the world a better place. … She fought the good fight, and she kept the faith. I think she’s with Martin, now.”
The Rev. Percy “Happy” Watkins, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church.
“She was so amazing, so gentle and so beautiful. … She asked us to be courageous in our struggles. We felt tremendously blessed to have her share her presence and vision with us. … The fact that she devoted her life to continuing his work was a real sacrifice and act of love.”
Monica Walters, executive director of YWCA of Spokane at the time of Coretta Scott King’s 2000 visit to Spokane. King was the keynote speaker at the YWCA’s annual Women of Achievement luncheon. More than 2,000 people donated at least $100 each to attend.
“Civil rights is a lifetime commitment. Every person has a role to play in our society. Coretta Scott King was a living example of how to do that.”
Norm Gissel, Coeur d’Alene attorney who won a $6 million judgment against the Aryan Nations. Gissel met Coretta Scott King at the 2000 YWCA luncheon, where he was honored with the Carl Maxey Racial Justice Award. King thanked the attorney for his contribution to civil rights and for continuing her late husband’s work in North Idaho.
“I admired her faithfulness to God, her loyalty to her family and her strength to carry out and live the dream that Dr. King preached. … She was one of the greatest mothers of this world.”
The Rev. C.W. Andrews, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Spokane.