Civil rights activist Sybil Morial, widow of New Orleans’ first Black mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial, has died at age 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
At a Glance
- Sybil Haydel Morial passes away at age 91.
- Her death was announced by her family through the National Urban League.
- Morial became a civil rights activist after meeting Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Boston.
- She was a driving force behind her husband’s and son’s political careers.
- Funeral plans have not been announced.
Legacy of Courage and Activism
Sybil Morial, born on Nov. 26, 1932, grew up in segregated New Orleans. Overcoming racial barriers, she attended Xavier University and later transferred to Boston University. Inspired by an encounter with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., she joined the civil rights movement with passionate dedication. In her 2015 memoir,“Witness to Change: From Jim Crow to Empowerment,” she recounted her experiences with racial discrimination, highlighting her unyielding resolve for justice.
In 1954, she bravely attempted to integrate Tulane and Loyola universities but was denied due to her race. Despite these setbacks, she continued her activism and married Ernest Nathan “Dutch” Morial in 1955. Together they raised five children while Sybil supported Dutch’s political career and taught school. During Dutch’s first mayoral term, National Guard troops protected their family during the 1979 police strike.
Sybil Haydel Morial is a giant in New Orleans history, and I know the entire city mourns her passing. Few women have played such an outsized role in the recent history of New Orleans. She leaves a powerful legacy of service to this community. https://t.co/51da3zubZT
— Mitch Landrieu (@MitchLandrieu) September 4, 2024
Champion for Voter Registration and Education
Sybil Morial founded the Louisiana League of Good Government to help Black individuals register to vote. She was also a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging a Louisiana law that barred public school teachers from fighting segregation. Morial held various administrative roles at Xavier University and served on numerous boards and advisory committees. Her advocacy extended to championing the construction of a pavilion dedicated to African American contributions for the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans.
“She confronted the hard realities of Jim Crow with unwavering courage and faith, which she instilled not only in her own children but in every life she touched.”
In 1987, she was the executive producer of “A House Divided,” a documentary concerning desegregation in New Orleans. After her husband’s death in 1989, she considered running for mayor but her son, Marc Morial, ran and won in 1994. Sybil continued influencing the political and social landscape through her work and dedication.
A Family’s Tribute and National Mourning
Sybil Morial is survived by her five children, seven grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. The Morial family highlighted her instrumental role in their lives, describing her as their “guiding star.” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other prominent figures, including former Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Congressman Troy Carter, issued statements honoring her legacy. “The City of New Orleans and her residents are in mourning as we bid farewell to Sybil Haydel Morial,” said Mayor Cantrell.
“The barricade that kept us out of schools, jobs, restaurants, hotels, and even restrooms would have to be dismantled brick by brick, law by law,” she wrote in her memoir.
The City of New Orleans will fly its flag at half-staff in Sybil Morial’s honor. Her passing was announced by her family through a statement issued by the National Urban League. The cause of death, occurring at University Medical Center in New Orleans, was not disclosed.
