Betty Shabazz, also known as Betty X, was an influential figure in the civil rights and Black Power movements in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. She was born Betty Dean Sanders on May 28, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, and later became notable as the wife of Malcolm X, a prominent human rights activist and leader of the Nation of Islam.
Betty Shabazz was an educator and advocate for social justice, particularly focusing on issues related to racial equality and women's rights. After the assassination of her husband in 1965, she devoted herself to raising their six daughters as a single mother while also continuing her education and activism work.
As a renowned educator, Shabazz held various academic positions and served as an assistant professor of health sciences at New York's Medgar Evers College, where she worked to empower young African American students by providing educational opportunities and enhancing their cultural awareness. She also actively participated in organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), pushing for civil rights and fighting against racial discrimination and inequality.
Betty Shabazz aimed to preserve her husband's legacy, promoting his teachings and advocating for social justice causes throughout her life. She authored books, including an autobiography titled "Betty Shabazz: Surviving Malcolm X," which chronicled her experiences as Malcolm X's wife and her personal growth after his death.
Shabazz’s unwavering commitment to social change, her educational contributions, and her advocacy work made her an influential figure in the history of the civil rights movement, leaving a lasting impact on American society.
