Bernice King walks away from SCLC post

ATLANTA, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., says she has officially declined the presidency of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

She was the first woman elected the civil rights organization's president 15 months ago but was beset by infighting and never officially took office.

King said she was done trying to work out the terms of her leadership with the group's board, which she saw as attempting to marginalize her, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday.

"The ideas they had concerning the direction of the organization under my leadership were different than my ideas," King told the newspaper. "We didn't see eye-to-eye.

"I am disheartened and sad. But I am also relieved that I don't have to go around avoiding questions anymore about when I am taking over."

King said her plans include advancing the legacy of her late mother, Coretta Scott King.

Board Vice Chairman Bernard LaFayette said King's decision came as a surprise but it was "not a setback" and the board will move on.

Howard Creecy will serve as interim president until another election is held in August, LaFayette said.