Activist. Memphis icon Mother King was notable for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, her devotion to social reform and especially, her advocacy for the poor, homeless, mentally ill, and chemically dependent. She was a prominent figure in the 1968 "I Am A Man" Sanitation Workers' Strike, the final cause of Martin Luther King, Jr. before his assassination. She was also a leader of the subsequent 1968 Poor People's Campaign, a march on Washington D.C. to seek economic justice. Mother King marched again in 1989, helping to lead the Southern contingency of the New Exodus Walkers. The group walked 250 miles to Washington D.C., braved the elements of Hurricane Hugo, and successfully fought for the restoration of benefits for the homeless, which had been cut from the national budget. In 2012, she founded the Memphis Bus Riders Union. She was also active with Africa in April, Project 30,000 Homes, and Miracles Mission for the Homeless. Mother King is credited with having given greater than 53,000 hours of service to the Memphis community and beyond. In 1994, she was designated as a "Memphis and Shelby County Woman of Achievement," and in 2014, a Memphis, Tennessee street was renamed in her honor. In 2018, she received the distinguished MLK 50 Award for Leadership and Activism.
Activist. Memphis icon Mother King was notable for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, her devotion to social reform and especially, her advocacy for the poor, homeless, mentally ill, and chemically dependent. She was a prominent figure in the 1968 "I Am A Man" Sanitation Workers' Strike, the final cause of Martin Luther King, Jr. before his assassination. She was also a leader of the subsequent 1968 Poor People's Campaign, a march on Washington D.C. to seek economic justice. Mother King marched again in 1989, helping to lead the Southern contingency of the New Exodus Walkers. The group walked 250 miles to Washington D.C., braved the elements of Hurricane Hugo, and successfully fought for the restoration of benefits for the homeless, which had been cut from the national budget. In 2012, she founded the Memphis Bus Riders Union. She was also active with Africa in April, Project 30,000 Homes, and Miracles Mission for the Homeless. Mother King is credited with having given greater than 53,000 hours of service to the Memphis community and beyond. In 1994, she was designated as a "Memphis and Shelby County Woman of Achievement," and in 2014, a Memphis, Tennessee street was renamed in her honor. In 2018, she received the distinguished MLK 50 Award for Leadership and Activism.
Bio by: HJ
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