Coretta Scott King To Speak At Luncheon

Fri., Oct. 27, 2000

By Jeanette White jeanettew@spokesman.com

When YWCA leaders went looking for someone to speak about two of the organization’s main missions - empowering women and eliminating racism - Coretta Scott King was an obvious choice.

To their delight, the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. agreed to be keynote speaker at the annual YWCA Women of Achievement Benefit Luncheon.

King, a leading participant in America’s Civil Rights movement, will talk about affirmative action, domestic violence and women’s issues at the Nov. 2 event.

“The YWCA’s main mission is to eliminate racism,” said Barbara Ackerman, the organization’s special events manager. “She’s one of the top people in our country who can talk to those issues.”

Since her husband’s assassination in 1968, King has worked to develop programs at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change - a living memorial to her husband’s dream.

She has met with spiritual leaders from the Dalai Lama to Bishop Desmond Tutu. Traveling the world, King has led goodwill missions and spoken at peace and justice rallies.

Diane Jackson, director of the East Central Community Center, can’t wait to hear the woman who has inspired her for years.

“Spokane is lucky this year,” said Jackson. “I’ve always been inspired by her and admired her from afar.”

About 1,700 people are expected to attend the luncheon.

Achievement awards will be presented to several area residents.

Norm Gissel, a Coeur d’Alene human rights activist and attorney who helped engineer a suit to bankrupt the Aryan Nations, will receive the Carl Maxey Racial Justice Award.

BENEFIT YWCA luncheon

The YWCA’s annual benefit luncheon will be at noon on Thursday at the Spokane Convention Center. Reservations can be made through Monday. Admission requires a $100 minimum donation, which benefits numerous Y programs. For reservations, call 326-1190, ext. 127.

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