May 5, 2006

Distinguished Judge Honors Coretta Scott King

By Donna H. Eliason
Staff Writer

Judge LaDoris Cordell, the first African American to become a Superior Court judge in Santa Clara County in l988, gave the memorial tribute to Coretta Scott King during the annual Carry the Vision Conference at Evergreen Valley College on April 22.

Judge Cordell was also the first African American to become the special counselor to the president for campus relations at Stanford University.

“Coretta Scott King was a living memorial to her husband, the late Martin Luther King, Jr,” said Cordell. “She was a woman with a global vision. She’s been a national symbol for the civil rights movement, advocating social and political justice. Coretta once said that if only 10 percent more women voted in elections, they could do away with any budgeting cuts on programs affecting women and children.”

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere”

She regretted not going to jail for her beliefs, but Dr. King didn’t want her in jail because of their four young children. She did 30 Freedom Concerts where she combined poetry, narration and music to tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement. She said, “I didn’t learn my commitment from Martin. We just converged at a certain time.” Their relationship was a partnership.

Coretta Scott King believed with her husband that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere.” They believed leaders weren’t necessarily spotlighted by the media but were people with vision, purpose and character. Their purpose to help others transcends personal needs.

Federal holiday to commemorate Dr. King
When Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, l968 in Memphis, Tennessee, his wife said, “I am determined to do what God called me to do.”

Cordell said, “Coretta prayed for direction. That direction was the King Center.”

The Martin Luther King Jr, Center for Non-Violence Social Action is located in Atlanta, Georgia. She also worked tirelessly for a national holiday to commemorate her husband. In 1983 this federal holiday was established for the third Monday in January.

“Coretta was the first woman to deliver the Class Day address at Harvard. She was also the first woman to preach a statutory service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London,” said Cordell.

On January 30, 2006, Coretta Scott King died in her sleep from the effects of a stroke and ovarian cancer.
Said Cordell, “Coretta made our world a better place.”