Izola Curry facts for kids

Izola Curry (born Izola Ware; June 14, 1916 – March 7, 2015) was an African-American woman. She is known for trying to harm the important civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.. In 1958, she attacked him with a letter opener during a book signing in Harlem, New York. King survived the attack.

Early Life

Izola Curry was born in 1916 near Adrian, Georgia. She was one of eight children in her family. Her parents worked as sharecroppers, farming land owned by others.

She left school after the seventh grade. At age 21, she married James Curry. However, they separated about six months later. Izola then moved to New York City to find work. She became a housekeeper.

After moving to New York, Izola began to experience serious mental health challenges. These challenges sometimes made it hard for her to keep a job. She moved around to different places and jobs. Later, she returned to New York in 1958.

Attack on Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1958, Martin Luther King Jr. published his book, Stride Toward Freedom. He went on a tour to promote it. On September 20, 1958, he was signing books at a department store in Harlem.

Izola Curry approached him there. She asked if he was Martin Luther King Jr. When he said yes, she stabbed him in the chest. She used a steel letter opener.

An advertising executive quickly grabbed and held Curry. A bystander tried to pull the letter opener out of King's chest. But New York City police officers Al Howard and Philip Romano arrived fast. They knew pulling the knife out could be dangerous. They stopped the bystander.

The officers called Harlem Hospital for help. They carefully planned how to move King safely. Officer Howard pretended King would leave through the front door. Meanwhile, Officer Romano and others carried King out the back. King was still sitting in his chair.

Doctors had to perform careful surgery to remove the blade. King later wrote about the experience. He was told the knife tip was touching his aorta. This is a very important blood vessel. Doctors said if he had sneezed, it could have been fatal.

While in the hospital, King spoke about the event. He said he believed in "the redemptive power of nonviolence". He also spoke kindly about Izola Curry. He hoped she would get the help she needed. He wanted her to become a helpful member of society.

A grand jury later charged Curry with trying to harm King. At the time of the attack, Curry also had a loaded pistol. It was hidden in her bra.

After the Attack

A doctor examined Izola Curry. The doctor said she had severe mental health issues. She was found unable to understand the charges against her. On October 20, she was sent to a special hospital. This hospital was for people with mental health conditions.

Curry stayed at this hospital for 14 years. Then, she was moved to another mental health center. Later, she went to a residential care program. This program helped her live in a community setting.

After a fall, Curry injured her leg. She then moved to a nursing home in Jamaica, Queens. She lived there until she passed away. Izola Curry died of natural causes.

See also

• James Earl Ray, who assassinated King