A photograph of Malcolm X's mother, Louise Norton Little (1897-1989). Louise Little was a brilliant woman, speaking multiple languages, and for years, along with her husband Earl Little, a dedicated activist of Marcus Garvey's Pan-African Movement (Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League). Louise Norton Little (1897-1989) was a Grenadian-born American activist and the mother of Malcolm X. Here are some key facts about her life. - Born in Grenada to a former slave from Nigeria and a Scotsman - Raised by her grandparents in Grenada - Immigrated to Canada in 1917 and joined the UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) - Met her husband Earl Little at a UNIA meeting in Montreal and married in 1919 - Had eight children with Earl, including Malcolm X - Was a Garveyite activist who taught her children about black pride and self-reliance - Was committed to a mental institution for 24 years and released in 1963 with the help of her children - Lived with her family in Grand Rapids, Michigan, until her death in 1991 at the age of 94