"I believe teachers in America are the force that defines the quality of America's future."

 -Coretta Scott King, speaking in 2002 at Teachers College's convocation ceremonies, where she received the College's Medal for Distinguished Service.

Teachers College mourns the passing of Coretta Scott King, a great advocate for civil rights, economic justice, and education for all. Through her courageous efforts at the side of her husband; through her creation of the Full Employment Action Council in 1974; in her leadership of the Coalition of Conscience, a gathering of more than 800 humans rights organizations, in Washington, D.C. in 1983; through her protests of apartheid in South Africa; in her goodwill visits all over the world; and through her tireless campaign both to create the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and establish Dr. King's birthday as a national holiday, Coretta King has advanced the wellbeing not only of poor and oppressed people, but all people, worldwide. Her work embodies the ideals upon which Teachers College was founded and epitomizes our mission of educational equity. May her example guide us for many years and decades to come.

Published Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006