On May 28, 1934, Betty Shabazz was born in Detroit. A civil rights activist, educator, and wife of Malcolm X, she was born Betty Dean Sanders. She converted to Islam in 1956 after hearing Malcolm X speak, adopting the surname “X” to reflect her African heritage.
The two married in 1958 and had six daughters. In 1964, they left the Nation of Islam, and she became Betty Shabazz. After witnessing Malcolm X’s assassination, she focused on raising her children while continuing community work and national speaking.
She earned a doctorate in education and taught at Medgar Evers College. Tragically, she died from burns caused by a fire set by her grandson in 1997. She was 63 years old.
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