Alberta Williams King: Civil Rights Matriarch

Mother of a Movement

Alberta Christine Williams King (September 13, 1903 – June 30, 1974) was far more than the mother of Martin Luther King Jr.—she was a dedicated civil rights activist in her own right.

Early Influence

Daughter of the first African-American Morehouse College graduate and wife of Martin Luther King Sr., she instilled pride in heritage and a commitment to justice in her children.

Activism

• Participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–56)
• Joined the March on Washington (1963)
• Spoke against segregation and discrimination
• Advocated for education and social change

Legacy

Her quiet strength and moral courage shaped the leaders who transformed America. Alberta King’s life exemplifies the foundational role of women in the civil rights movement.