ATLANTA - City leaders and members of the King family gathered Friday to celebrate what would have been the 85th birthday of Mrs. Coretta Scott King.
The wife of Dr. Martin Luther King died in 2006.
With a large crowd gathered at the King Center, her family unveiled "Desert Rose," a newly-published book about her life. The book was written by Edythe Scott Bagley, Mrs. King's sister, and details Mrs. King's life and upbringing, including her early days as an activist before meeting Dr. King.
Congressman John Lewis, Mayor Kasim Reed and other city leaders spoke during the ceremony. Dr. Bernice King said today's generation can learn from her mother.
"I want them to take the lesson of the importance of being willing to give your life into service for others," she said.
"I feel this generation coming along now has yet to make its mark in history in terms of advancing our society and our world," she continued, adding that the Treyvon Martin case was like a "wake-up call."
Proceeds from the book will go to the Coretta Scott King Foundation to help fund youth programs.