The story of the impact by one of the most influential American women will be told Saturday at New Era Baptist Church.

In celebration of Black History Month, “A Song for Coretta” will be performed at 5 p.m. Saturday at New Era Baptist Church, 1120 Yankee Road.

The play, written by noted black novelist and playwright Pearl Cleage, portrays five women who meet while waiting to pay their respects at the funeral for Coretta Scott King, who died in January 2006. They share their stories and how King impacted their lives.

King was the wife of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. She worked alongside her husband in the civil rights movement, and in the years after her husband’s 1968 assassination she fought for racial, gender and gay rights.

“I want people to know about her, her life and how important her life was,” said Kip Moore, the director of play who also heard her speak at Miami University about a year before she died. “She gave African American women the courage and strength to endure life.”

Moore said while it’s a historical story, it’s also about encouragement and rising above adversity.

The play this weekend features Lynn Harris, Melanie Harris, Audrea Johnson, LaCrystal Richardson and Lydia Ware.

“After I read this piece, it explains how strong and important she is — and not just to African American women,” Moore said. “It’s something we can all learn from.”