Sarah Moore Greene
The NAACP mourns the passing of Sarah Moore Greene, a long time activist and former member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. She was 102. A memorial service will take place today in Knoxville.
“Sarah Moore Greene acted as Knoxville’s conscience for much of the twentieth century,” stated NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock. “When she joined the NAACP National Board of Directors she brought with her years of experience fighting injustice, and left an indelible mark on the Association. She will be truly missed by those who learned from her – her students, but also her colleagues, family and friends.”
“Sarah Moore Greene was a brave and talented civil rights icon,” stated NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous. “Whether she was conducting a sit-in at a segregated restaurant, or sitting in the mayor’s office to negotiate fair treatment, Mrs. Greene was consistently effective and persistently active. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.”
Mrs. Greene, the daughter of a former slave, taught in Knoxville for years before becoming the first African American to serve on the Knoxville City School Board. She became a civil rights icon for her work leading sit-ins and fighting discrimination and segregation in her community.
Mrs. Greene served on the National Board of Directors from 1972 to 1997. She came on the Board to fill the unexpired one year term of Arthur Spingarn. She also served as president of the Tennessee NAACP State Conference and secretary of the NAACP Knoxville Branch.
A community memorial service will take place today, Monday, August 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2714 Brooks Road, Knoxville, TN 37914. Celebration services will follow on Tuesday, August 21 at Great Warner A.M.E. Zion Church, 3800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN; family visitation will last from 10:00 – 11:00, while the funeral service will begin at 11:00.
Messages of condolence can be forwarded to the Tennessee NAACP State Conference (tnnaacp3@bellsouth.net) or 27 Brentshire Square, Suite A, Jackson, TN 38305.
