The Alliance Theatre, in conjunction with The King Center, with support of the family of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., are excited to present the King Family Women’s Hat Display.

A hat is not simply an accessory, but a personal story and fashion statement. For generations, African American women have worn church hats to signify aspects of their identities and stories within their communities and families. These hats represent the God given roles of women within their congregations and communities. With the tilt of the head and movement of the hat, warm greetings and love were extended.

The 20 hats in this display were worn by the women of the King family: Alberta Williams King (MLK Jr.’s mother, wife of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Sr., the 3rd Senior Pastor of Ebenezer, and Daughter of Rev. Dr. Adam Daniel (A.D.) Williams, the 2nd Senior Pastor of Ebenezer, Coretta Scott King (MLK Jr.’s wife), Christine King Farris (MLK Jr.’s only sister) and Naomi Barber King (MLK Jr.’s only sister-in law, wife of his brother Rev. Alfred Daniel (A.D.) Williams King. Following a longstanding tradition, the King women wore hats every Sunday. Some of the hats symbolize historic moments in the Civil Rights Movement and in the history of the King family.

Alberta Williams King, Coretta Scott King, and Naomi Barber King were preacher’s wives and First Ladies. However, Christine King Farris, like her mother, was the First Daughter of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Alberta Williams King served as First Lady of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Coretta Scott King served as First Lady of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Naomi Barber King served as First Lady of First Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia, First Baptist Church Ensley in Birmingham, Alabama, and Zion Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

For these women in the King family, hats have been worn as a representation of freedom, dignity, faith, position, and purpose. This display, in concurrence with the production of The Preacher’s Wife, celebrates the women of the King family and every woman who has ever adorned herself. This display honors the legacy of women and the adornment of church hats in African American history and culture.