Statement from Edward J. McElroy, President,
American Federation of Teachers, Remembering Coretta Scott King

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It is with great sorrow that we say goodbye to our friend and fellow educator Mrs. Coretta Scott King.  Mrs. King was a driving force in educating the public about the accomplishments of the civil rights movement and the continued struggle to ensure that all Americans receive equal rights.  Just one of her many achievements
was creating the King Center, which serves as the living memorial to teach the world about Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophy and methods of nonviolent conflict resolution and social change. 

Mrs. King also taught the lessons of the civil rights movement personally.  She frequently spoke at public schools and colleges to spread Dr. King’s message of hope and integration to generations of students.  Her lifelong actions echoed her husband’s famous words that their “children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”  In death, as in life, Mrs. King will continue to serve as a role model for all of us who carry on the march toward equality for all. 

# # # #