The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation, is a nonfiction biography by African American author, scholar, and educator Anna Malaika Tubbs, published in 2021. The book explores the stories of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin, and their roles as women and mothers in shaping three of the most significant figures of the 20th century: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Tubbs explores Black motherhood and its pivotal role in American history and society. Her book engages closely with the themes of Motherhood as a Source of Radical Black Power, Black Women’s Resistance Against Intersectional Oppression, and The Erasure of Black Women’s Histories.

Tubbs is a New York Times bestselling author and holds a PhD in sociology from the University of Cambridge. Her academic work explores issues of race and gender in the United States with a focus on Black women and their historical misrepresentation and erasure.

This study guide uses the 2021 William Collins e-book.

Content Warning: This book discusses racism, racial violence, rape and sexual violence, abuse, and the history of enslavement.

Summary

Introducing her work, Tubbs states her intention to counter the pervasive erasure of Black women’s stories and experiences, promoting a nuanced understanding of Black womanhood. She lays out her method for this is to investigate the lives and impacts of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin, the mothers of three emblematic African American personalities: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Tubbs discusses her sources and methodology; although she was faced with contradictory sources, the stories she uncovers illuminate the three women’s influence and agency.

Chapter 1 focuses on the three women’s family backgrounds and youth. Louise Little was born in Grenada to a family of emancipated Africans. Tubbs references existing scholarly speculation that Louise’s mother conceived her as a result of rape by a white man, explaining Louise’s light skin color. Louise was raised by her grandparents and was influenced by the teachings of her grandfather and the matriarchal values of her female relatives.

Alberta King was born in Atlanta. Her father was a Baptist minister and her mother was active in the church. Alberta grew up in a prosperous community and a loving family. She was influenced by her family’s Christian faith and social activism.

Berdis Baldwin was born in Maryland. Her mother died while giving birth to her. She was raised by a loving father who made a living from water jobs. As a child in an isolated community, Berdis developed interracial bonds and learned to live with love despite loss.

Tubbs turns to the early periods of the women’s lives, a time of historical turmoil. Tubbs argues that Louise’s family opposed Grenadian participation in World War I and lived with relative autonomy through acquiring land. Louise was an excellent student and followed the teachings of her female relatives. She became multilingual and learned to value self-determinism. Longing for a life beyond Grenada, she emigrated to Montreal, following her uncle. In Canada, Louise was introduced to Garveyism—a philosophy of Black separation and self-governance named for the ideas of Black nationalist Marcus Garvey—and became involved in activist organizations. Alberta followed her parents’ example of combining social activism and Christian faith. During the Great Migration, her family remained in the South, determined to fight for racial justice. Alberta became a skilled piano player and was involved in church activities. Berdis lived with her older sister after her father remarried. Berdis was an excellent student with a passion for literature. Her education shaped her perspectives and she challenged pervasive racist stereotypes about Black people’s intellectual abilities. During the Great Migration, Berdis moved to Harlem, New York.

In Chapter 3, Tubbs focuses on the relationships and marriages of the three women. Berdis found herself in New York during the Harlem Renaissance. While struggling financially, she also remained a poet and writer. From an early relationship, Berdis gave birth to her son, James. Berdis struggled to provide for him until she met and married David Baldwin, a preacher. At first, they hoped for a new family but David became increasingly abusive to Berdis. Alberta met Michael King while continuing her studies. The two fell in love and Alberta abandoned her dream of teaching as laws at the time prohibited married women from teaching. When married, Alberta helped Michael advance his education and the two moved into her family’s home. The couple succeeded her parents as church leaders. Louise worked at a newspaper in Montreal and continued her activism. She met and married Earl Little, also a Baptist minister, and together they toured the United States as advocates of racial equality. Threats and intimidation by white supremacists upset their peace and security and exacerbated Earl’s rage.

Chapter 4 focuses on the women’s lives as young mothers. Louise and Earl had seven children. Louise showed courage and resilience when she confronted a group of white supremacists that threatened her family while she was alone at home and pregnant with Malcolm. The family tried to evade racial violence, acquiring land and building a home in Michigan. Berdis and James developed a strong bond while David’s mental health deteriorated. The family’s financial struggles worsened during the Great Depression, and the couple had eight children to provide for. Berdis focused on their education and encouraged James’s writing pursuits. Alberta and Michael had three children and were loving parents. Alberta taught her children about racism.

Chapter 5 focuses on the women’s losses. While Alberta’s life was privileged compared to Berdis and Louise’s, the death of her parents was traumatic for her. She and Michael became the leaders of the church because Alberta felt compelled to continue the legacy of her parents. Berdis was impacted by her husband’s poor mental health and violence. As David’s health deteriorated, Berdis committed him to a clinic. David died while Berdis was giving birth to their ninth child. Despite her sadness, Berdis felt liberated from his abuse. Louise and Earl continued to struggle with racial intimidation. One night, Earl disappeared and was found dead the following morning. Louise believed her husband was murdered by white supremacists although his death was declared an accident. Louise tried to go on with her life, meeting a man who abandoned her while pregnant with his child. Louise struggled to provide for her children and confronted discrimination from welfare services. Due to her depression and grief, she was committed to a psychiatric hospital, and her children were placed in foster homes.

Chapter 6 focuses on the women’s relationship with their sons. Louise taught her children to be proud of their identity, and she was especially strict to Malcolm who was assertive and rebellious like her. Alberta passed on her family values of religious faith and social activism to her children. She encouraged Martin’s education and instilled in him the value of self-worth to counter the discrimination he experienced. Berdis encouraged James’s education and creative talent despite poverty and racism, recognizing her own urges in him. James left Harlem to pursue his writing career and explore his identity as a queer man, having his mother’s unconditional love.

Chapter 7 describes how the three mothers lost their sons during their lifetime. As James became a crucial voice in the civil rights struggle, his mother’s teachings of love and tolerance became evident. He and Berdis always remained in contact despite his travels. James died of cancer and Berdis’s grief was lasting. Alberta admired her son for his activism and achievements but feared for his safety. Her worries were tragically confirmed by Martin’s assassination. Malcolm and his siblings secured Louise’s release from psychiatric committal after 25 years. Louise returned to her family in good health but grieved the loss of Malcolm following his murder.

Chapter 8 focuses on the women’s old age and deaths. Alberta lost another son but continued to support her family and remained an organizer. She was murdered by a gunman during a church service. Louise lived privately and peacefully in her final years. Berdis continued to reinforce familial bonds after her son’s death, spending time with relatives in New York and Maryland.

In conclusion, Tubbs stresses the importance of countering the erasure and misrepresentation of Black women. As racial inequality persists, their lives continue to be disregarded. She hopes that Alberta, Louise, and Berdis’s stories demonstrate the historical contributions and resilience of Black women.