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Coretta Scott King

On April 27th 1927 in Heiberger Alabama the future wife of Dr. Martin Luther King was born. Coretta was born into a family with a mother named Bernice, a father named Obadiah "Obie" Scott,  a brother named Obadiah Leonard and a sister named Edythe. As a child her parents always encouraged their children to get a good education. Coretta first attended a one room elementary school 5 miles from home. Then a few years later bused to Lincoln High School as a teenager. In 1945 as a senior Coretta graduated as valedictorian of her graduating class. Throughout Coretta’s early lifetime she found the love of music. She played the trumpet, piano and also sang. After high school Coretta attended Antioch College. She majored in music and education. She also went to New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. There she met and fell in love with her future husband, Dr. Martin Luther King. On June 18, 1953 Coretta and Martin got married. Their first child, Yolanda was born in 1995. In the next few years they had three more children named Martin Luther lll, Dexter, and Bernice. Coretta Scott King is known for being civil right activists. Her husband Martin Luther King also acted as a civil right activist. After her husband Martin Luther King died she wanted his birthday to become a national holiday. Her dream became a reality on January 15, 1986 when Martin Luther King Day was celebrated. Another accomplishment of Coretta happened during the 1980’s. During that time period she participated in sit-in protests against South Africa racial policies. She also led the Memphis sanitation workers in a protest against the work they were forced to accomplish. Coretta along with her husband and many others organized a boycott against the city bus system. The reason why they boycotted the bus system was to represent Rosa Parks and stand up for her dignity. Overall, Coretta participated in numerous protest and boycotts throughout her life. Coretta’s many accomplishments in her life time made a large contribution to the way the United States is today. For example if she never boycotted the bus system, bus’s still might be segregated. With her help and contribution people can sit anywhere on a bus and color doesn’t matter. To make all her accomplishments happen the King family were faced with many obstacles. In 1956, white supremacists bombed their home in Montgomery. Luckily, Coretta and her first child rushed out of the house without any inguries. The reason why they faced more obstacles then the normal family is because they were black people protesting against white people. Back then everything was segregated and white people thought they were better than blacks. This led to them disagreeing with the King’s actions and doing anything to stop them. The King family is strong and determined and did not let anything stop them from reaching their dream. On April 4, 1968 at 6:01pm Coretta and her four children mourned in the death of their loving father and husband that was assassinated. At 39 years of age Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was shot in Memphis Tennessee while standing on the balcony of his motel room. It was an event that shocked all. From that day all his dreams of accomplishments of the future was passed down to Coretta. Coretta received many awards on the behalf of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and to honor herself in continuing efforts for civil rights and peace. Coretta once said “I'm fulfilled in what I do... I never thought that a lot of money or fine clothes -- the finer things of life -- would make you happy. My concept of happiness is to be filled in a spiritual sense.” This quote that Coretta once said is something many people forget about the real meaning of happiness. Coretta explained that the finer things in life are not always the things bought with money. The things should make a person happy are the things within you and the people you surround yourself by. She also said “Segregation was wrong when it was forced by white people, and I believe it is still wrong when it is requested by black people”. This quote means that what the white people did was wrong but when black people went with segregation they were going against what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dream and the reason he died. On January 31st 2006, Coretta Scott King was laid to rest. She died at the age of 78 from suffering from a stroke and a heart attack a few months before her death. Without the help of Coretta completing her husband unfinished work our world we know it as today would not have been the same. Both Martin and Coretta would be very happy to know that all their protest and civil activities has done the United States good and now we live in a desegregated country. Myself and the current generation and generations to come are grateful that a woman and her family would risk their life for the hope of a better future.

Work Cited Books- •	Holt, Henrey. My life with Martin Luther King. New York. Henrey and Holt company, 1969. Internet- •	“Coretta Scott King dies” January 31, 2006.  (29 April 2009) •	“Coretta Scott King”  ( 29 April 2009) •	 Horace Huntley “Coretta Scott King: In Appreciation” Remembering the Lady of the Civil Rights Movement. 2005.  (28 April 2009). •	“Coretta Scott King (1927-)” http://www.stanford.edu/~ccarson/articles/black_women_2.htm (29 April 2009) •	“Coretta Scott King” 1999. http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/whm/bio/king_c_s.htm (29 April 2009) Photographs- •	http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/coretta_king/ (29 April 2009) •	http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/kin1gal-1 (29 April 2009)

Warren G. Harding, an ambitious man who faced many obstacles. Once a teacher, salesman, and reporter he has now found an opportunity in politics. In 1899, he was elected as an Ohio State Senator. He served as a senator until 1903. Afterward, he was elected to be lieutenant governor of Ohio. He attempted being governor until he lost in 1910. Later he returned again as United States Senator representing Ohio until 1921. Harding’s future opportunity was President. He was nominated to run for president for the Republican Party as a dark horse candidate. With Calvin Coolidge as his running mate he was opposed by Democrat James Cox. Harding participated in the first election that women received the right to vote. An overwhelming 61 percent was won by Harding. Some people say the popularity came from women, who are claiming Harding as handsome and charming. As the newly elected president Warren Harding pledged to bring the “best minds” but this important factor was poorly executed. As our new president Harding thought he selected good appointees to assist him. Little to his knowledge his appointees are making Harding seen as one of the worst presidents in American History. His short time in office is already remembered by major scandals. Recently, Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall secretly sold the right to oil reserves in Teapot Dome, Wyoming. In return, the United States received $308,000 from a private company. Along with the Teapot Dome, Albert Fall sold many other rights to other national oil reserves. Fall was recently caught and is now sentenced to one year in Jail. Albert Fall is the beginning of the many scandals Harding is being held responsible for. Numerous other men with Albert Fall’s intentions are still being caught. Another scandal during Harding’s presidency was with Charles R. Forbes. Forbes was involved in bribery and price skimming from bootlegs and drug deals. Next, in foreign affairs, Harding rejected the League of Nations but he signed a separate peace treaty with Germany and Austria that ended World War 1. Harding recently said “I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies in a fight. But my friends, my goddamned friends, they’re the ones who keep me walking on the floors at night”. Harding was correct, his friends, appointees and officials are the ones to worry about. These are the men that are now convicted of bribery, fraud and conspiracy. These immoral men are appointees that are not interested in government and politics. Instead they are business men who are only interested in what they can gain from the government. This makes Harding and his followers become negative role models to the American citizens. A president should be a positive leader that leads America out of our struggles. Currently prohibition has swept the Americans lifestyle. Prohibition is the ban of transportation, sale and production of alcohol. A president should stand behind the truthful decision in following prohibition, Warren G. Harding does not. Instead of being a positive example, Harding was recently caught inviting his partners and trusted members of congress for poker games. These long lasting games would consist of the consumption of Alcoholic beverages in the White House. Harding’s wife Florence acted like the waitress by serving drinks, lighting cigars and enable political positioned men in a scandalous and a hypocrite event. Although Harding’s presidency is not finished, the fact that it has many faults is obvious. Throughout the short amount of time as president, he was affiliated with countless scandals. It is within our power, the citizen’s power to take prevention to be satisfied in knowing another scandal will not occur. Even though, the legacy of Harding’s scandals, disappointments and presidency still remain, it is only a matter of time before something will change.

“Warren G Harding and Political Scandal”. http://www.essortment.com/all/warrengharding_rkpr.htm.

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