Terry B. Jones Data News Weekly Publisher
Last week we saw the passing of a great New Orleanian and American. Sybil Haydel Morial, the matriarch of one of New Orleans’ most iconic political families died at the age of 91.
Sybil Haydel Morial, was the wife of Ernest “Dutch” Morial, the first Black Mayor of New Orleans, and the mother of former Mayor and present CEO of the National Urban League Marc Morial.
During her storied and impactful life, she was a champion for civil rights, committing her life to education and equality.
She was an activist, educator, and author. She worked shaping young minds as the Associate Dean at Xavier University for 28 years.
The Morial family issued the following statement regarding her passing:
“Words cannot express our sorrow at the loss of our beloved matriarch and guiding star. Our grief is tempered by our overwhelming gratitude for her life, her wisdom, and her love.”
“Like many women of the Civil Rights Era, she was the steel in the movement’s spine. From the moment she met our late father, Ernest “Dutch” Morial, they were joined in the fight for justice and equality. 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.”
“As a teacher and university administrator, she imparted a reverence for education not only upon her own children but upon her students and the many colleagues who had the good fortune to fall under her brilliant mentorship.”
“She remains the ‘First Lady’ to generations of New Orleanians, who join her children, Dr. Julie Morial, Hon. Marc H. Morial, Mr. Jacques E. Morial, Ms. Cheri Morial Ausberry, Hon. Monique Morial; her seven grandchildren, her great-granddaughter, and a host of friends, family, and associates in our grief. We ask for the continued prayers of all who knew and loved her, and that our privacy be respected as we mourn our loss.”
“A celebration of life will be announced soon.”
Many people from all walks of life have given their condolences and sent well wishes to the Morial family. As Publisher of the New Orleans Data News Weekly, and as someone who knows the family and has profound respect for the work Sybil Haydel Morial has done to advance our quest for Civil and Human Rights, we honor her legacy. Indeed, in this crucial time in our nation’s history, it is up to us to continue her lifelong fight to make the world a better place for all.
Our prayers go out to the Morial family to honor the amazing life of the Matriarch of New Orleans, Sybil Haydel Morial. May she rest in eternal peace.
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