A Bermudian woman is to be part of an annual event honouring an American civil rights icon next week.

Cindy Trimm will provide the opening prayer at the Martin Luther King Jr Annual Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday.

Dr Trimm, a former United Bermuda Party senator, said that Dr King was “incomparably one the most influential men of the 20th and 21st centuries”.

She added: “His life and ministry radically changed not only the course of American history, but provided a leadership legacy which continues to influence the lives of people all around the globe.”

Dr Trimm, an author, motivational speaker and head of Cindy Trimm Ministries International, said that prayer had played a “critical role” in Dr King’s life.

She added: “He turned to private prayer for his own spiritual fulfilment and public prayer as a way to stimulate and strengthen a quest for social, police and economical activism, peace and justice.

“Understanding and identifying with the prominent place that prayer held in his life, I am indeed honoured to open the commemorative service which engages and connects community members around various religious traditions, backgrounds and leadership levels in local, state, national and international governments through prayer.

“It was the foundation of his life, and a vital ingredient in his efforts to free and empower humanity.”

Dr Trimm, who is now based in Atlanta, said the service and activities of the event “will provide a new breadth of hope and spark the imagination for the present and future generations on what is possible and the best pathways to further liberate humanity”.

Bernice King, Dr King’s youngest daughter, said she took “very seriously” the comparison of others with the work and message of her parents.

She added: “I believe this speaks volumes regarding what I believe about Dr Trimm as a global leader, the potential impact of her message and the work she tirelessly pursues around the world.

“I believe Dr Trimm is the voice of hope we so desperately need to hear in this season.”

Howard-John Wesley, pastor of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, will be the event’s keynote speaker.

Dr King, the leader of the US civil rights movement, was murdered in Memphis, Tennessee, in April 1968 by career criminal and white supremacist James Earl Ray.

Martin Luther King Jr Day was signed into law in 1983 by US President Ronald Reagan and first observed three years later.

The holiday is held on the third Monday of January every year, close to Dr King’s January 15 birthday.