On Sunday, May 7, 2017, 3:00 P.M., the Coretta Scott King Memorial Garden will be open to the public. Located at 137 Stepney’s Lane, Edgewater, Maryland, this beautiful garden is a magnificent tribute to the late Coretta Scott King, who would have been 90 years old this month.
The Coretta Scott King Memorial Garden was dedicated in 2011 by Reverend Dr. Bernice A. King, the youngest daughter of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. King. The garden includes a water fountain, benches donated by the AKA, the sorority that Mrs. King belonged to. Other benches were donated by the Deltas, the Eastern Star, Rhonda Caldwell-Dove, Councilman Daryl Jones and others.
The word, “Embrace” is prominently displayed in the garden. Mrs. King, who embraced people and causes around the world, was a supporter of labor unions, women rights, gay rights, civil rights and human rights.
The event is being billed as a “Tea in the Coretta Scott King Garden” and will have on hand elected officials, clergy, women’s groups, and the Reverend Barbara Reynolds, author of the new memoir on Mrs. King entitled, “My Life, My Love, My Legacy.” Bishop Wilbert Baltimore will bring greetings and will be joined by Alderman Kenny Kirby and Joanna Hanes-Lahr, who knew Mrs. King when she lived in Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Hanes-Lahr, now an Annapolitan, works with the nonprofit Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee to help preserve the civil rights movement by creating memorials.
Mrs. King, who is often referred to as the widow of Dr. King, had an amazing life in her own right. She carved into history her own niche. She lived more than three decades longer than her husband and was one of the driving forces that made Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a national holiday. In many ways, the Coretta Scott King Memorial Garden, which is in full bloom, captures the essence of one of America’s best known feminist and human rights activists.
Tax-deductible $25 tickets will be sold at the door the day of the event, or may be purchased in advance by calling Arlene Jackson at 301-538-6353. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to retire the debt that was incurred in building the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers Memorial, which is located in Annapolis, Maryland.
On Sunday, May 7th, come and have “tea” in the Coretta Scott King Memorial Garden and learn more about a woman who was determined that her husband’s dream would not die on a balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. It is an event you will not want to miss. Special thanks to the contributors who made this non-governmental funded garden possible.
A Luta Continua!
Carl Snowden is a political and civil rights leader in Annapolis.
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