A devoted member of the Nation of Islam and trained nurse, Sister Betty X attracts Malcolm’s attention through her committed service. One day, with practically no pretext, he calls her and asks her to marry him; she agrees, and she becomes his very devoted wife. While Malcolm the narrator tells us very little about her, he does say she is one of the only people in his life that he trusts.
Get the entire Malcolm X LitChart as a printable PDF.
Sister Betty X Character Timeline in The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The timeline below shows where the character Sister Betty X appears in The Autobiography of Malcolm X. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 13: Minister Malcolm X
In 1956, a new sister joins Temple Seven. It’s Sister Betty, a native of Detroit. Malcolm has no intentions towards her, and they never speak; in...
(full context)
Shortly thereafter, Malcolm hears from another sister that Sister Betty’s parents have threatened to stop funding her nursing school if she doesn’t leave the Muslims....
(full context)
...asks to meet the woman. On the pretext of attending a course for instructors, Sister Betty is sent to Chicago, where she meets Elijah in person. He warmly approves of her.
(full context)
...Wilfred in Detroit, Malcolm suddenly pulls off to the side of the road, calls Sister Betty from a payphone, and asks her to marry him. After acting surprised at his proposal,...
(full context)
Betty has to fly back to New York for nursing school, but she quickly returns. In...
(full context)
Malcolm and Betty then move in to Queens, where they share a home with another brother his family....
(full context)
Malcolm, with hesitation, says that he now loves Betty. Even more importantly, she is one of only four women he has ever trusted. He...
(full context)
Chapter 16: Out
The only fight Malcolm ever has with Betty is about his lack of foresight regarding money. While she believes that he should make...
(full context)
For one of the first times, Malcolm emphasizes how important Betty is to him. As a loving, supportive, and strong wife, she holds him up in...
(full context)
Chapter 17: Mecca
Malcolm writes a letter to his wife Betty, explaining that Allah has allowed him greater insight into the truth of Islam. Muslim society...
(full context)
Epilogue: Alex Haley
...his opinions on women, and Malcolm declares all women to be untrustworthy (except his wife Betty, whom he says he trusts seventy-five percent). This is their first productive session, which also...
(full context)
...spend their days going to various events for the Nation. Malcolm’s relentless schedule worries Sister Betty, who nonetheless supports her husband. Wherever he goes, Malcolm is recognized in public, and his...
(full context)
Shortly thereafter, Malcolm and Sister Betty fly to Florida to be with Cassius as he trains. This helps to take his...
(full context)
...contract to be changed so that all the proceeds from the book go to Sister Betty. When Alex hears of the death threats made against Malcolm and expresses his concern, Malcolm...
(full context)
...Africa and to Mecca. He continues to send him postcards, and then in mid-May, Sister Betty calls to say that Malcolm will be home the next day. After flying in, Malcolm...
(full context)
...through his front windows, setting the entire house on fire. The family escapes, and Sister Betty takes the children to go stay with friends. Malcolm, meanwhile, must continue to give speeches...
(full context)
On Saturday, Malcolm goes house hunting with Betty, and they find one they like, but they need $4,000 for a down payment. Malcolm...
(full context)
...next morning, a strange caller awakens him, only saying, “Wake up, brother.” Malcolm then calls Betty and asks her to bring the children to see him speak at 2 pm at...
(full context)
...firing stops, several people rush to the stage to try and save him, including Sister Betty, who is crying.
(full context)
...where a shotgun pellet to the heart is established as the cause of death. Sister Betty buys Malcolm a casket and then announces that his body will be made available for...
(full context)
...search the building twice. Finally, at 6:30, with police and sharpshooters surrounding the building, Sister Betty and her children go in to see Malcolm. At 7:20, the first members of the...
(full context)
After the services, which last about an hour, Sister Betty goes to see Malcolm one last time and suddenly bursts into tears, prompting many in...
(full context)
