Sybil Haydel Morial, a key figure in New Orleans’ civil rights movement and wife of the city’s first Black mayor, died at 91. Her family announced her passing on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The National Urban League shared the news, though details about the time and cause of death were not given.
A Life Dedicated to Civil Rights and Education
Morial was born on November 26, 1932, in New Orleans. She grew up during the Jim Crow era, facing harsh segregation. Her father was a doctor and her mother a teacher. These roots laid the groundwork for her future in activism and education.
In her early years, Morial experienced firsthand the sting of racism. She and her friends, including future Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, were once chased out of New Orleans’ City Park by police because of their race.
From Boston to New Orleans: A Journey of Inspiration
Morial’s path to activism took shape during her time in Boston. There, she met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was studying at Boston University. This meeting sparked her drive to fight for change back home.
“Those of us from the South … We wanted to go back home because we wanted to be a part of change. We knew change was coming,” Morial said in a 2018 interview with Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
Challenging Segregation in Higher Education
Sybil Morial’s Efforts to Integrate New Orleans Universities
In the summer of 1954, fresh from her experiences in Boston, Sybil Morial took bold steps to challenge segregation in higher education:
- She attempted to enroll in summer sessions at both Tulane University and Loyola University.
- At Tulane:
- She attended classes for nearly a week while they waited for her transcript from Boston.
- Eventually, she was told she could not enroll due to her race.
- At Loyola:
- She was informed that “according to state law, Negroes cannot attend the same school as whites.”
These experiences highlighted the deep-rooted segregation in New Orleans’ education system and fueled Morial’s determination to fight for change.
After returning to New Orleans, Morial tried to break down racial barriers in education. She attempted to enroll at Tulane and Loyola universities, but was turned away due to her race. This rejection only strengthened her resolve to fight for equal rights.
A Powerful Partnership: The Morials in New Orleans Politics
Sybil met Ernest “Dutch” Morial in 1954, bonding over discussions about the recent Supreme Court decision on school desegregation. They married the next year, forming a partnership that would shape New Orleans’ future.
Ernest Morial became the city’s first Black mayor in 1978. Sybil supported him while raising their five children and teaching. She often had to protect their family from racist threats, a stark reminder of the challenges they faced.
Sybil Morial’s Own Political Impact
Morial wasn’t just a supportive spouse; she was a force for change in her own right. She founded the Louisiana League of Good Government, helping Black citizens register to vote. She also challenged laws that restricted teachers from fighting segregation.
Her influence extended to education and culture. Morial worked at Xavier University for 28 years and championed a pavilion at the 1984 World’s Fair showcasing African American contributions to history.
A Lasting Legacy in New Orleans and Beyond
“Few women have played such an outsized role in the recent history of New Orleans,” former Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. Current Mayor LaToya Cantrell called Morial “a New Orleans treasure and trailblazer.”
Sybil Morial’s impact continues through her family, including her son Marc, who served as New Orleans’ mayor and now leads the National Urban League. She leaves behind five children, seven grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.
Her life story, captured in her 2015 memoir “Witness to Change: From Jim Crow to Empowerment,” serves as a powerful testament to the courage and determination that drove the civil rights movement.
