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DEARBORN, Mich., May 5, 2008 – Coretta Scott King and Dr. Dorothy Height were honored this evening as this year’s recipients of the Ford Freedom Award for their outstanding achievements at the 10th annual program.

The two were heralded at a dinner at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American Museum, Ford’s partner in the program. Coretta Scott King, the “First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement,” received the Ford Freedom Award posthumously; and Dr. Dorothy Height, Chair and President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, was named the Ford Freedom Award Scholar.

“Ford created the Ford Freedom Award program in partnership with the Charles H. Wright Museum to honor outstanding individuals who have made immeasurable contributions to our country and our world," said Ziad Ojakli, group vice president, Government and Community Relations, Ford Motor Company. “I am proud to be a part of honoring these two amazing women who have truly changed history as we know it.”

The Ford Freedom Award program was created in 1999 to celebrate and recognize individuals whose achievements brought lasting and positive change for African Americans and the world. The program is underwritten by Ford, and funds raised are used to support the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History’s educational programs, exhibits and community outreach initiatives. Past honorees have included Ossie Davis, Langston Hughes, Bill Cosby, Dr. Ben Carson, Al Jarreau and Sonia Sanchez, to name a few.

“The museum is excited to once again partner with Ford Motor Company to celebrate the life and legacy of two of America’s most committed freedom warriors. It is an honor to host Dr. Dorothy Height and Elder Bernice King, daughter of Coretta Scott King, in Detroit at the world’s largest Museum dedicated to African American culture,” said Juanita Moore, president and CEO, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

The day long program that preceded the awards dinner consists of two key components:

• Scholar’s Lecture: Education is a key component of the Ford Freedom program. Each year the Ford Freedom Scholar addresses nearly 1,500 Detroit-area grade school students about the achievements of the Ford Freedom Award Honoree. The 2008 scholar’s lecture featured Dr. Height and Elder Bernice King, who shared their thoughts and experiences regarding Coretta Scott King, all in an effort to inspire and engage future leaders. This year’s lecture also featured a “Ford Freedom Spelling Bee” moderated by actress Keke Palmer of “Akeelah and the Bee.”


• Ford Freedom Award Essay Contest: This annual contest reaches out to 2,000 Michigan students, in grades four to eight. This year’s topic asked students to express, “I am free because…” Winners received savings bonds that can be used to further their future educational goals. Awards were presented during the Ford Freedom Award Scholar’s Lecture. Additionally, in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Ford Freedom Award and the legacy of Coretta Scott King and Dr. Dorothy Height, two special awards were presented to students who have shown extraordinary volunteer community service efforts.

The criterion for the selection of the recipients is as follows: The Ford Freedom Award Honoree is presented posthumously to a distinguished person who has dedicated his/her life to improving the African American community and the world at large. The Ford Freedom Award Scholar is presented to a person who has excelled on a national or international level in the field of the Ford Freedom Award Honoree. The Scholar serves as a living legacy that has furthered those achievements for a new generation.

BIOS
Coretta Scott King, Human Rights Activist and Leader (1927- 2006) – Ford Freedom Honoree Coretta Scott King was one of the most influential women leaders in our world. Prepared by her family, education, and personality for a life committed to social justice and peace, she entered the world stage in 1955 as wife of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and as a leading participant in the American Civil Rights Movement. Her remarkable partnership with Dr. King resulted not only in four talented children, but also in a life devoted to the highest values of human dignity in service to social change. Mrs. King traveled throughout the world speaking out on behalf of racial and economic justice, women's and children's rights, religious freedom, the needs of the poor and homeless, full-employment, health care, educational opportunities, nuclear disarmament and ecological sanity.

Dr. Dorothy I. Height – Ford Freedom Scholar
Dorothy Irene Height is widely recognized and honored as one of the great civil rights and women’s rights leaders of contemporary history and has spent decades providing inspiration and leadership to countless organizations in the struggle for equality and human rights for all people. As president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) for over forty years, Dr. Height has led an ongoing crusade for justice, opportunity, and dignity for women and black families. Dr. Height has been the recipient of more than 20 honorary degrees and 50 awards honoring her decades of outstanding public service. In 1994, Dr. Height was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In 2004, to mark her 92nd birthday, she received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Elder Bernice A. King
Bernice A. King is nationally and internationally known as one of the most powerful, motivating and life-changing orators and speakers on the circuit today. Born the youngest daughter of the late Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Bernice began her oratorical journey when she spoke in her mother’s stead at the United Nations at age 17. Over the years, Bernice has had the occasion to speak in such places as The White House, DuPont Corp., Warner-Lambert Corporation, AT&T, NIKE, USANA Health Sciences, University of Toledo, to name a few. Ms. King is Bernice is a graduate of Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Law Degrees from Emory University. She has also received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Wesley College. She is currently a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 244,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Mazda, and until completion of their sale, Jaguar Land Rover. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

ABOUT CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History provides learning opportunities, exhibitions, programs and events based on collections and research that explore the diverse history and culture of African Americans and their African origins. The Charles H. Wright Museum strives to be recognized as the institution of choice for exploring and presenting African American history and culture. The Museum is located at 315 E. Warren Avenue in Detroit, Mich.