A lady on South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island who drew nationwide consideration from stars reminiscent of Tyler Perry and Snoop Dogg as she fought off builders in her closing years has died, based on a publicist for her household. She was 94.
Josephine Wright got here to embody the development pressures displacing residents of historic African American communities within the stunning South Carolina coastal city and around the country. An funding agency sued her early final 12 months over alleged property encroachments on a proposed 147-unit neighborhood close to land her late husband’s household had owned for greater than a century.
“Her legacy as a pillar of power, knowledge, and dedication to justice will ceaselessly stay etched in our hearts,” the household wrote in an announcement after her dying Sunday at her Hilton Head dwelling. A reason for dying was not talked about.
Wright moved round 30 years in the past from New York Metropolis to the historic Gullah neighborhood of Jonesville — named for a Black Civil Warfare veteran who escaped slavery and bought land there. She and her late husband sought peace whereas he suffered from Parkinson’s illness. The couple thought they’d discovered the proper quiet place in the identical spot the place his ancestors as soon as took refuge.
The Brooklyn-born matriarch was a devoted neighborhood participant and a hard-working girl. She raised seven kids and recounted phrases as president of three completely different Guardian Trainer Associations. She returned twice to highschool for certificates in pc science and insurance coverage. She additionally helped out her husband’s legislation workplace till he may afford a secretary and labored for a time within the New York Metropolis Division of Transportation’s authorized division.
“You have got run your race and fought an unbelievable struggle!” Perry, the actor and filmmaker, wrote in an Instagram publish. “Journey nicely my pricey woman. You have got impressed me.”
The Hilton Head dwelling turned a “sanctuary” for a household that totals some 4 remaining kids, 40 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, two Cockapoo canines and a Shih Tzu, based on Charise Graves, one in every of Wright’s granddaughters, who spoke with The Related Press final summer time.
Graves fondly recalled journeys there as a teen.
“Everyone comes right here, all people visits,” she stated.
The hope was that future generations would additionally get pleasure from it. Whether or not they’ll face up to the developer’s lawsuit, or any future development, stays to be seen. In accordance with essentially the most not too long ago revealed on-line court docket information, a 3rd social gathering had been appointed to resolve the dispute. Altimese Nichole, the household’s public relations consultant, stated conversations a few settlement are ongoing.
Wright held robust in opposition to affords to surrender the land.
“Why haven’t I? As a result of I wish to maintain my property and I don’t wish to promote,” Wright instructed The Related Press final summer time of the affords she’d declined in recent times.
“I simply need to have the ability to reside right here on this sanctuary with a free thoughts,” Wright stated.
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Pollard is a corps member for the Related Press/Report for America Statehouse Information Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit nationwide service program that locations journalists in native newsrooms to report on undercovered points.
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