Coretta Scott King was an American civil rights activist and the wife of Martin Luther King Jr., who headed the American civil rights struggle. King was an advocate of non-violence and women’s rights. She was actively involved in the ‘Civil Rights Movement,’ with her husband. King grew up in a middle-class African–American family. While in school, she faced several hardships due to the social system, which did not allow colored children to mingle with the whites. Being a victim of racial discrimination forced King to become active in anti-racist movements. She was a talented singer and wanted to build a career in music. Her marriage to Martin Luther King Jr. changed the course of her life. She worked hand in hand with her husband, to secure equal rights for the African–American people. She was against the idea of men leading the civil rights struggle and tried to gather more female support. Following her husband’s assassination, King was required to take over the reins of the movement started by him. She broadened the scope of her work, to include LGBT rights, world peace, and several other causes. King established an organization named after her husband, to spread the message of non-violent social change. As a result of her relentless campaigns, King Jr.’s birthday was declared a national holiday. King openly criticized the system of apartheid. She is fondly remembered as the “First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement.”