February 1, 2006

Labor Movement Mourns the Passing of Coretta Scott King

(Washington, D.C.) — Our nation has suffered a great loss with the passing of civil rights heroine, Coretta Scott King.  With her strength of character, commitment and faith, she was a leader in the civil rights movement through her own actions as well as her partnership with her late husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  When hatred and bigotry took the life of her husband and left her children without a father, she turned her grief into strength to continue the work and achieve the dream of justice for all.

She worked tirelessly and unselfishly to see that Dr. King’s legacy of civil rights through civil disobedience and non-violence is a permanent part of American history and culture.  The success of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta and the ongoing work of the family’s charitable foundation is a testament to Mrs. King’s vision and determination.  We are deeply saddened that her time on earth has come to an end.  We will continue to honor her life by fighting against racism and discrimination in American workplaces.