Edythe Scott Bagley
| Edythe Scott Bagley | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
December 13, 1924 Marion, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | June 11, 2011 (aged 86) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education |
Lincoln Normal School Ohio State University |
| Alma mater | Antioch College |
| Occupation | author, activist, educator |
| Parent(s) | Obadiah Scott Bernice McMurray Scott |
| Relatives |
Coretta Scott King (sister) Obadiah Leonard Scott (brother) Arturo Bagley (son) Martin Luther King, Jr. (brother-in-law) Yolanda King (niece) Martin Luther King III (nephew) Dexter Scott King (nephew) Bernice King (niece) |
Edythe Scott Bagley (December 13, 1924 – June 11, 2011) was an American author, activist, and educator. The older sister of Coretta Scott King, she worked behind the scenes to promote the Civil Rights Movement and was actively involved in many of the crucial events of that era.
In 1943, Mrs. Bagley graduated from Lincoln Normal School in Marion, Alabama. With the encouragement of teachers and mentors, she applied for a scholarship to Antioch College and was accepted as a student there that fall. Though Antioch had enjoyed a long history of racial tolerance, Mrs. Bagley was the first African American student admitted to the school in the modern era. Later, she transferred to Ohio State University from which she graduated. She also earned a master of English from Columbia University and a master of fine arts from Boston University.
Her sister Coretta met Martin Luther King, Jr. while attending the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston after winning a scholarship. Edythe was frequently confronted by her sister over whether or not to develop her relationship with the aspiring minister, and she became impressed by how King carried himself. However, Edythe was approached by King's parents, Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King. The two wanted to meet with members of Coretta's family and obtained Edythe's number from her. Mrs. Bagley had lunch with the two, and was pressed by King, Sr. over how she felt about her sister possibly marrying his son. Though Edythe tried to assert her sister was deserving of his son and was a strong person, she did not believe that she had to beg. Coretta and Martin made an announcement of their marriage on Valentine's Day 1953. Despite the wedding being only four months away, Coretta was not fully committed to the idea, and sent a letter to her sister the day before Easter Vacation.
...
Wikipedia