“It’s been a long time comin’, but I know a change is gonna come now, yes it will,” sang the voice of soul singer Sam Cooke as photos and quotations of Coretta Scott King projected across a screen Wednesday night.

The song couldn’t have been more fitting.

About 30 students gathered in Kresge to honor King’s life and the civil rights she and her husband, Martin Luther King Jr., fought for. Alpha Kappa Alpha hosted the commemoration.

King, 78, died Jan. 30 of ovarian cancer. Four U.S. presidents and 10,000 people attended King’s funeral near Atlanta on Feb. 8.

African American Studies Prof. Martha Biondi spoke before the slideshow, giving an overview of King’s ambitions and courage.

“She was a self-made woman,” Biondi said.

Although King originally aspired to be a classical singer, Biondi said, she was an activist before meeting her husband. She was a supporter of her husband’s work, as well as his critical adviser.

“She was determined to carry on her husband’s work and carry on his legacy,” she said.

So determined, in fact, that five days after her husband’s death she led a worker’s strike in Memphis, Tenn.

“If her husband was associated with civil rights, Coretta Scott King was associated with social rights,” Biondi said. During her life King fought for the rights of women, blacks and gays.

Shannon Womack, the financial secretary of AKA, said she organized the event to give students a chance to honor the life of a memorable woman.

Womack said King’s life taught her that “you should use tools to get individual success but be socially aware at the same time.”

“It’s important to help those around you,” said Womack, a Communication junior.

Students at the presentation said they felt it was important to attend out of respect and admiration.

“Coretta Scott King is an amazing woman and she did a lot for the African American community as a whole and America as a whole,” said Marquita Curry, a Weinberg freshman.

King’s accomplishments in politics live on through the path she has made, said McCormick freshman Imaan Potmis.

“She gave our people a visual that we can do what we want to do,” Potmis said.

Potmis, who said she considers herself an activist, said she admires King and a lot can be learned from King’s life.

“No matter what obstacles you’re faced with, you can overcome adversity,” Potmis said.

Reach Jasett Chatham at [email protected].