Betty Shabazz American educator and civil rights activist Date of Birth: 28.05.1934 Country: USA

1. American Educator and Civil Rights Activist
2. Meeting Malcolm X and Involvement in the Nation of Islam
3. Tragic Death of Malcolm X and Shabazz's Life Afterward

American Educator and Civil Rights Activist

Betty Shabazz was an American educator and civil rights activist who was the wife of renowned American civil rights leader Malcolm X. She was born to Ollie Mae Sanders and Shelman Sandlin. While Shabazz claimed to have been born in Detroit, Michigan, archival records indicate that she was actually born in Pinehurst, Georgia. When she was 11 years old, her parents were taken away from her due to rumors of her father's inappropriate behavior towards her. She was then raised by Lorenzo Malloy, a talented businessman, and his wife Helen. Helen was the founder of the Housewives League of Detroit, a group of African American women who supported black businessmen and boycotted stores that refused to hire black individuals. Shabazz grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and thanks to her adoptive parents, she did not experience much racism during this time.

Meeting Malcolm X and Involvement in the Nation of Islam

However, Shabazz's situation changed when she went to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. After some time, she decided to leave Alabama and moved to New York City, where she became a nurse. It was in New York that she met Malcolm X, and in 1956, she joined his movement, the Nation of Islam. After eight years, Malcolm X and Shabazz left the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X's speech on the assassination of President Kennedy on December 1, 1963, led to their departure. The Nation of Islam insisted that its followers refrain from commenting on the matter. Although Malcolm X was a significant member of the movement, he was temporarily suspended from public speaking for 90 days. On March 8, 1964, he announced his departure from the Nation of Islam.

Tragic Death of Malcolm X and Shabazz's Life Afterward

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X delivered a speech at the Organization of Afro-American Unity. During the event, an unknown individual fired a shotgun at Malcolm X, followed by two other gunmen who shot him a total of 16 times. Upon hearing the gunfire, Shabazz hid with her children under a bench. When the shooting ceased, she rushed to her husband and attempted to administer artificial respiration. Malcolm X was taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. In the following two weeks, Shabazz suffered from nightmares about the tragic event.

Shabazz had to raise their six daughters on her own. After obtaining a higher education, she found employment at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York. The publication of Malcolm X's autobiography, "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," greatly aided Shabazz. She received half of the royalties, with the other half going to Malcolm X's co-author, Alex Haley. However, after Haley's best-selling book, "Roots," was released, he also gave his share to Shabazz.

When Shabazz's daughter, Qubilah, was arrested on suspicion of murder, Shabazz took care of her grandson, Malcolm. It was because of Malcolm that Shabazz's apartment caught fire, resulting in her sustaining severe burns. She passed away from her injuries.