Edythe Scott Bagley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edythe Rose Scott-Bagley
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | December 13, 1924 Marion, Alabama, U.S.
|
| Died | June 11, 2011 (aged 86) |
| Education | Lincoln Normal School Antioch College Ohio State University (BA) Columbia University (MA) Boston University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Author, activist, educator |
| Known for | Older sister of Coretta Scott King |
| Parent(s) | Obadiah Scott Bernice McMurry Scott |
| Relatives | Coretta Scott King (sister) Obie 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 (born December 13, 1924 – died June 11, 2011) was an American author, activist, and teacher. She was the older sister of Coretta Scott King. Edythe worked hard to support the Civil Rights Movement. She was part of many important events during that time.
Edythe Bagley finished Lincoln Normal School in Marion, Alabama in 1943. Her teachers encouraged her to apply for a scholarship. She was accepted at Antioch College that fall. Antioch College had a history of being fair to all races. Edythe Bagley was the first African American student to be accepted there in modern times.
Later, she moved to Ohio State University and earned her degree. She also earned a master's degree in English from Columbia University. Then, she got a master of fine arts degree from Boston University.
Contents
Edythe's Family Life
Edythe Rose Scott-Bagley was born in Marion, Alabama. Her parents were Bernice McMurry-Scott and Obie Scott Sr. She had three siblings: Coretta, Obie Leonard, and Eunice. Her parents were important leaders in their community.
Her mother, Bernice, was the church pianist. She also drove the school bus. Her father, Obie, had many jobs. He was a barber, transported timber, and drove a taxi. Edythe was the oldest child. She went to Crossroad School and then Lincoln School. At Lincoln School, she met teachers from different places. This helped her get a scholarship to Antioch College. She was the best student in her graduating class.
On June 5, 1954, Edythe married Arthur Bagley. They had one son named Arturo Bagley. They were married for 56 years.
Supporting Coretta Scott King
Edythe's sister, Coretta, met Martin Luther King Jr. in Boston. Coretta was studying music there. Edythe often talked with Coretta about her relationship with Martin. Edythe was impressed by Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin's parents, Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King, wanted to meet Coretta's family. They got Edythe's phone number. Edythe had lunch with them. Martin Sr. asked Edythe how she felt about Coretta marrying his son. Edythe said her sister was strong and deserved his son. Coretta and Martin announced their marriage on Valentine's Day in 1953.
After Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Edythe moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She stayed there for two years to support her sister. She helped Coretta start the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Edythe served on its board of directors for the rest of her life. In 1971, Edythe represented her sister and brother-in-law. This was when the Police Athletic League named a new building after Martin Luther King Jr.
Edythe's Career
Edythe taught at several colleges in Alabama and Georgia. In 1971, she joined the faculty at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. At Cheyney, Mrs. Bagley started the theater arts program in 1980. She produced and directed many plays for this program. Edythe stayed at Cheyney University until she retired in 1996.
Later Years and Legacy
In 2003, Edythe thought she was going to die soon. She called her sister to arrange a family Thanksgiving gathering. Her niece, Bernice King, told her, "Aunt Edythe, it's not over because you're not finished."
When her sister Coretta died in 2006, Edythe called her "my best friend and closest associate." Edythe's son, Arturo Bagley, spoke at Coretta's funeral. He talked about the special bond between the sisters.
Edythe's health started to get worse in 2010. In the summer of 2010, alumni from Antioch College honored Edythe. They gave her the Walter F. Anderson Award. In February 2011, her husband died. Four months later, on June 11, 2011, Edythe Bagley passed away. Her nephew, Martin Luther King III, said she was a "vibrant, brilliant woman." He added that she was always a source of strength and wisdom for his mother during the Civil Rights Movement.
Published Work
In 1966, Edythe Bagley started writing a book about her sister, Coretta Scott King. The book would tell about their childhood in Alabama. It would also cover Coretta's life during the early Civil Rights Movement. For two years, Edythe did a lot of research. She collected family papers and interviewed many people.
She finished the book and mailed it to a publisher on April 4, 1968. Later that evening, she learned that her brother-in-law, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., had been assassinated. Because of these sad events, her book was not published then.
Before Coretta Scott King died, she encouraged Edythe to work on the book again. With help from author Joe Hilley, the book was updated and expanded. After her niece Yolanda King died, Edythe mentioned the book to Bernice, Coretta's other daughter. In April 2012, almost a year after Edythe Bagley's death, the book was published. It was called Desert Rose: The Life and Legacy of Coretta Scott King. The University of Alabama Press published it.
See also
- List of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania faculty
- List of Columbia University alumni
Images for kids
-
Edythe Scott Bagley
