YOLANDA KING
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LGBT Ally Yolanda King Dies
Newscenter Staff
Posted: May 16, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET
(New York City) Yolanda King, the eldest child of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King has died in Santa Monica, California. She was 51.
A motivational speaker, producer and actress Yolanda King pursued her father's dream of racial and social harmony.
A spokesman for the King Center in Atlanta said that the family did not know the cause of death, but that relatives believe it might have been a heart problem.
"She was an actress, author, producer, advocate for peace and nonviolence, who was known and loved for her motivational and inspirational contributions to society," the King family said in a statement.
Like her mother Yoland King frequently spoke out in support of LGBT civil rights.
"Yolanda's transition is a reminder of how short life on earth can be and should also serve as a catalyst for the continued push for civil rights for all people including gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals. This too was Yolanda's dream and journey and she expressed it beautifully as a motivational and inspirational speaker" said H. Alexander Robinson, the Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition.
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese remembered King as a participant at HRC events.
"Following in the footsteps of her Mother and Father, Yolanda King was a passionate advocate for justice and equality for all people. She was a true friend of the GLBT community and was always eager to lend her talents and support to help advance the mission of many different causes for our community," said Solmonese.
"We were honored to have Ms. King appear at several Human Rights Campaign events throughout the years where she always brought a message of hope and inclusion. Our community has lost a dear friend but during this difficult time we seek solace in the extraordinary legacy of fairness, justice, and equality she leaves behind."
Former Mayor Andrew Young, a lieutenant of her father's who has remained close to the family, said King was going to her brother Dexter's home when she collapsed in the doorway.
Her death came less than a year and a half after her mother, Coretta Scott King, died in January 2006 after battling ovarian cancer and the effects of a stroke.
Coretta Scott King frequently spoke out, often to the anger of some Black pastors, in favor of LGBT civil rights.
King called her critics "misinformed" and said that Martin Luther King's message to the world was one of equality and inclusion.
In 2003, she invited the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to take part in observances of the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech.
Yolanda King, who lived in California, was an actress, ran a production company and appeared in numerous films, including "Ghosts of Mississippi." She played Rosa Parks in the 1978 miniseries "King."
you are right that it running in family does make you a higher risk at getting heart disease but still an unhealthy lifestyle does contribute a factor to you enhanching your chances of dying early from it. she lived a busy life and living a balanced healthy lifestyle was probably hard to maintain. who knows, that's not the point anyways but i blame kikes and cracKKKers for it
