Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’ with his mother Alberta Williams King and Coretta Scott King
We are taught to believe power belongs only to those who seize it by force. But Alberta Williams King, the mother of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., held a different truth: that power lives in the subtle, enduring work of nurturing dreams and tending to the roots of justice. Alberta’s life reminds us that matriarchy—grounded in care, connection, and an unshakable faith in community—is the foundation upon which liberation is built.
Today, as we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, let us also honor the matriarchs like Alberta King, whose wisdom and labor remain the uncredited scaffolding of movements. They have always known that love and care are not soft things. They are fierce, unyielding, and necessary tools of resistance.
In a world that seeks to strip us of our joy, to keep us distracted, afraid, and broken, the choice to nurture ourselves and one another becomes a revolutionary act. As we face this moment of transition—with the presidential inauguration marking a new chapter for our nation—we must root ourselves in the work of building a future grounded in justice and love. Together, we are the antidote to fear, and together, the feminist future we envision, is still possible.
Women’s Foundation California, like Alberta King, believes in the transformative power of care. We believe in the strength of grassroots movements, in leadership that centers women of color and gender-expansive people, and in systems that are built with love, not domination. We see California as fertile ground for a future where justice and joy are abundant, a place where the radical act of collective care rewrites what power can look like.
To deepen this reflection and honor the work of mothers of the movement, we invite you to read (or revisit) The Three Mothers by Women’s Foundation California board member, author, and advocate Anna Malaika Tubbs. This powerful book celebrates not only Alberta King, but also Louise Little and Berdis Baldwin – the mothers of Malcolm X and James Baldwin – illuminating the vital and overlooked role Black women play in shaping our history and future.
Together, let us honor the countless matriarchs who nurture dreams, tend roots, and shape our world.