The wife of civil rights leader the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery has been hospitalized after relatives say she suffered a stroke.

The family said in a statement that Evelyn Lowery was hospitalized late Wednesday and was in critical condition.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/18ecW84) that the Lowery family's statement requested prayers. It said that Joseph Lowery was by his wife's side at an undisclosed hospital.

Evelyn Lowery founded SCLC/W.O.M.E.N. Inc. in 1979. The group works to empower women, girls and families as they relate to human rights, social action, economic self-sufficiency, reduction of health disparities, and leadership to build strong families and communities.

Tags: stroke, Joseph Lowery, hospitalized, civil rights leaders, civil rights era, evelyn lowery