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Women's Hall of Fame honor celebrates King's
life-long passion for women's rights

   For those who know Carol King, her induction into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame comes as no great surprise. But to King, a long-time activist and producer of a documentary that chronicles Second Wave feminism in Michigan, the news came as something of a shock.

   "Sue Wagner nominated me, but I honestly didn't think it would happen," said King, who now produces documentaries in California with her husband, Michael. "When (Michigan Women's Hall of Fame Director) Gladys Beckwith called with the news," she said, "I almost fell over. It was a shock...I was surprised and very happy."

   King is also quick to point out that many, many others supported and encouraged her involvement with the feminist and right-to-choose movements, as well as the National Organization for Women. She counts among her greatest accomplishments having hired the very first lobbyist to represent a state National Organization for Women (NOW) chapter, giving the organization a dedicated presence in Lansing.

Partnerships dispel myths

   King also established strengthening partnerships as president of Michigan NOW and Macomb NOW. Working with other groups, Macomb NOW was able to remove a film shown by the police department that featured a male lecturer saying a rape victim might as well "lay back and enjoy."

   Partnerships with groups like Parent Teacher Associations and the NAACP gave NOW a broader understanding of issues and helped dispel myths. "At that time, people were afraid of feminists. Building coalitions helped broaden our reach. They saw we were reasonable, on the side of fairness. We weren't the 'man-hating, bomb-throwing women's libbers'. We were just like them."

   King's friend Susan Rogin Kurtzman remembers one time when that "radical" image kind of paid off. The two were part of the Michigan Women’s Assembly, a state-wide coalition of women's organizations, where Kurtzman connected with the women of NOW.

   "Carol and I hatched a plot to have some controversial platform plank passed by the full assembly. We knew that NOW was considered a radical bunch by some of the more mainstream women’s groups so she got up during the final session, went to the mike, made an impassioned plea for an extreme version, and then I got up, went to the mike and offered what we really wanted. It sounded much more reasonable and was passed. I wish I could remember what it was, but what I do remember is how much fun we had pulling it off."

MARAL work: 'powerful times'

   Some of King's most vivid memories stem from her time as director of the Michigan Abortion Rights Action League (MARAL). Even today, the role is controversial, but at the height of the feminist movement. Kurtzman recalls one reporter with the Metro Times, whose superficial interview resulted in an interesting story.

   "The young woman had some preconceived notions about Carol. The piece came out and it questioned Carol’s bona fides as a feminist, because she was wearing makeup, had long nails covered with red polish and that she obviously couldn’t be taken seriously." She added the story was funny, but also very aggravating.

   King speaks passionately of her time with MARAL. "Some of the most powerful times for me happened when I was on the other end of the phone when women would call in who didn't have money, or young women for whom it was too late. And my heart broke for those women who didn't call or who didn't know who to call, who were stranded."

   King knows first-hand the way pregnancy can turn the world upside down. The daughter of devout Catholic parents, King felt trapped and panicked when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Though she experienced a spontaneous abortion, she has never forgotten the terror and desperation. "I didn't think I had an alternative. When I talk to young women, I tap into that feeling in a heartbeat."

   Reproductive issues remain a passion for her; her new dream is to document the history of contraception and abortion. King has been saddened to see a "diminishing" of the right to choose. "I was part of a movement to preserve Roe versus Wade and, I'm hoping, part of a movement that will recapture it."

Moving in new directions

   There is one difficult memory for King: Her unsuccessful run for state legislature, which she calls "an ill-considered decision on my part." (Although Kurtzman believes herself to be "50 percent responsible".) It wasn't the run so much as the timing; Republicans controlled the legislature and Republican John Engler served in the Governor's office.

   "I'm glad to have had the experience," King said. "In retrospect, I'm grateful I lost. I don't know how I would have endured in the legislature with Engler in office and Republicans in control. It also gave me an opportunity to start another stage in my life."

   When her husband, Michael Rose, asked how she would feel about moving to California - his home state and a much better place to pursue film production - King decided it was her turn to be supportive. While she missed her family and friends, she soon became engrossed in helping set up Michael Rose Productions."That was eleven years ago, and I'm still here," King said.

   Their latest production, Elvis: Return to Tupelo, is the story of Elvis Presley's earliest years. It premiered on the Bio Channel (A&E’s spinoff of its long running Biography series) Thursday, September 11. (Learn more at http://www.elvisreturntotupelo.com) Friend Jacquie Steingold, whose friendship with King goes back more than 20 years, says King's skills as a documentary film maker are relatively new, but exemplify that she is an artist, as well as being an activist.

   "She was always a great thinker, fabulous orator and good friend," said Steingold, who is still active with Detroit NOW and on the national board. "She is passionate about women's rights and has always worked hard, from being State NOW president to being on NOW's national board, to running for office. Her leadership talents include being a visionary and being able to listen to others; being thoughtful and outspoken, not fearing repercussions."

   King sees parallels between the new world and her activism of the past. Both require strong organizational skills, scheduling, coordinating travel - and, the bane of everyone's existence, fund-raising. It's work she clearly enjoys, and she treasures the opportunity to work with her husband on projects that might not gain exposure in today's commercial world.

   As she closes in on the age when people typically retire, King appears to have no intention of leaving work behind. "I hope I can keep doing something that means a lot to me, and something that is socially relevant," she said. "And it is through the lens of feminism that I see the world."

"I believe we are post-feminist movement, but not post-feminist," she adds. "There are ills that still need to be addressed and injustices that need to be corrected. I want to continue to contribute as I did before, but in a different way."

The 2008 induction ceremony and dinner will be held at the Sheraton Detroit Novi, located at 21111 Haggerty Road in Novi. A cocktail reception will begin at 5:00 p.m., with dinner at 6:00 p.m. and the ceremony at 7:00 p.m.
   Tickets for the event will be available in early September through the Michigan Women’s Historical Center. For details, call (517) 484-1880. To learn more about this year's honorees, read the article in Herstories or visit the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame on-line.

--Joni Hubred-Golden

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