Members of the Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King Foundation hosted a social gathering Jan. 18 in Allentown's Brenner Mansion in a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The foundation was responsible for the planning, funding and the installation of the Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King statue on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive near the Parkettes Gymnastics building 401 Martin Luther King Jr Drive in Allentown.

The evening gathering was organized by the foundation's Executive Director Kevin Easterling and other members of the organization.

Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King Memorial Project Vice President Siobhan "Sam" Bennett spoke to the group and connected the Civil Rights Movement with the struggle for women's rights.

"The Civil Rights Movement was extraordinarily sexist in its early days," she said in a later interview.

She said that the frustration of women in the Civil Rights Movement lead to the creation of the National Organization of Women.

"There is connective tissue between the two," Bennett said.

"This is the only memorial in the United States that includes both Martin Luther King and his wife Coretta Scott King," she said.

Bennett said that she agreed to participate in the memorial effort on the condition that Coretta Scott King be included in the memorial.

In a later interview, Bennett said the mission of the foundation was now to focus on civil rights education.

"Our goal is to get Pennsylvania to improve children's education on civil rights," said Bennett.

William Alexander of Bethlehem and Paul Grant attended representing Elks Bethal Lodge 1284.

Bethlehem resident Arlene Lund, a member of the board of directors, said she attended because it is "important to volunteer in the community."

"Give and you gain something you never expected," Lund said.

Business woman Jeannette Morales of Bethlehem attended. Morales owns Will's Building Maintenance and Cleaning Company.

Foundation treasurer Sharon Fraser, one of the hosts, said, "We do an event ever year to celebrate Dr. and Mrs. King.Artist Brenda Tabb attended and had set up many of her drawings and paintings for attendees to enjoy. She had her son, Austin, and granddaughter, Jadalese, with her.