The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation

Tubbs focuses on the decade after the women’s birth. Louise’s grandparents acquired land and built a family home, determined to maintain autonomy and independence. Louise followed the “guidance” of her female relatives. Her mother, aunt, and grandmother instilled in her resilience, creativity, and “self-determination”. She was an excellent student, educated at the Anglican school in Grenada where she developed a love for language, becoming multilingual. Through her family and education, she realized her ability to survive and sustain herself. Louise desired a life beyond colonial Grenada and was determined to confront life’s challenges as a Black woman. In 1917, she joined her uncle who had migrated to Montreal, Canada. Influenced by activist and pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey, her uncle spread the word about Black liberation. Tubbs notes that Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association connects with the later development of the Nation of Islam. In Montreal, Louise found an opportunity to join activists and advocate for Black independence through her writing.

Alberta learned from her parents to be an activist, combining religious faith and commitment to human rights. Despite the racial terror that permeated the South, Reverend and First Lady Williams advocated for racial justice in their congregation. Alberta saw them as examples of resistance who exemplified the ideals of humanity and love.