NEW ORLEANS — The first African American First Lady of New Orleans, Sybil Haydel Morial, has died at 91.
Mrs. Morial was the wife of former New Orleans Mayor Ernest 'Dutch' Morial and the mother of Marc Morial, who also served as Mayor of New Orleans.
She was also an advocate for civil rights and education. For over 28 years, she worked as an associate dean and administrator at Xavier University.
The Morial family announced the passing of their mother and grandmother, Sybil Haydel Morial, and issued the following statement.
"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."
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued the following statement:
"The City of New Orleans and her residents are in mourning as we bid farewell to Sybil Haydel Morial. Mrs. Morial was a New Orleans treasure and trailblazer as the first African American First Lady of the City of New Orleans.
"The historic service of Mrs. Morial and her late husband Ernest "Dutch" Morial, the first African American Mayor of New Orleans, will always be remembered as a shining legacy of love and inspiring leadership for the City of New Orleans.
The beloved former First Lady and wonderful mother of former Mayor Marc Morial, passed away at the age of 92.
Mrs. Morial was a champion for civil rights, and a woman who fought tirelessly to break barriers and pave the way for future generations. She was a respected educator and author who spent over 28 years as an Associate Dean and Administrator at Xavier University, where she made a lasting impact on countless students.
The City of New Orleans sends its heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Morial family, friends and all those who loved her. We will forever be grateful for all the lives she blessed throughout her life. May she now rest in God's perfect peace."
Urban League of Louisiana President and Chief Executive Officer Judy Reese Morse released a statement on the passing of Mrs. Sybil Haydel Morial:
"For decades, Sybil Haydel Morial has been a steady, graceful and strategic hand guiding New Orleans. While Mrs. Morial is best known as former New Orleans First Lady, she was also a pioneering Civil Rights leader, trailblazing educator and college administrator, author and philanthropist. Her impact on the Urban League of Louisiana remains today, as she founded and led the Urban League of New Orleans’ annual gala and many philanthropic endeavors as a chairwoman and board member.
Mrs. Morial’s work over the years was always a reflection of what was just and fair for the community that she deeply loved, and that deeply loved her. She was an elegant, eloquent force of nature and the city of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and the nation are better because she lived.
The Urban League of Louisiana mourns her passing, celebrates her amazing life and extends our deepest condolences to National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, Jacques, Julie, Cheri, Monique and the entire Morial family."
New Orleans Councilmember Oliver Thomas said the following on social media:
Today, New Orleans mourns the loss of an extraordinary woman, Sybil Haydel Morial. Mrs. Morial was more than the wife of our first Black mayor, Dutch Morial, and mother of Mayor Marc Morial; she was a trailblazer, educator, and fierce advocate for civil rights. Her impact on our city is immeasurable—from her work at Xavier University to her lifelong dedication to justice and equality. As we remember her, we honor her unwavering love for New Orleans and her tireless efforts to uplift our community. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Morial family. Rest in power, Mrs. Morial
Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu issued the following statement on the passing of Sybil Morial:
"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. Beyond her role supporting her husband Ernest "Dutch" Morial's historic mayoral terms and being mother to Mayor Marc Morial, Mrs. Sybil was a champion for civil rights and voting rights in her own right. She organized women's groups, voter registration, and school integration efforts in the face of immense racism and backlash. Mrs. Sybil was also an accomplished educator and administrator on top of raising five accomplished and successful children. I am certainly fond of the great counsel she provided me over my lifetime in politics and public service, including during the Tricentennial and our fight to take down the Confederate monuments. She leaves a powerful legacy of service to this community. My thoughts and prayers are with Julie, Marc, Jacques, Cheri, Monique, and the entire Morial family."
Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) issued the following statement after the announcement that Sybil Haydel Morial passed away:
“My heart is heavy with the news of the passing of the beloved Sybil Haydel Morial. Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of such a remarkable woman. Mrs. Morial’s legacy as the matriarch of the iconic Morial family and her own contributions to civil rights and the city of New Orleans will forever be remembered with reverence and gratitude.
As the wife of the late Ernest “Dutch” Morial, New Orleans’ first African American Mayor, she stood as a pillar of strength, grace, and wisdom—not only for her family but for countless individuals whose lives she touched through her tireless advocacy and leadership. Her commitment to education, equality, and justice served as a beacon of hope, inspiring generations to continue the fight for a more just society.
Though words can scarcely ease the grief that you must be feeling at this time, I hope you find comfort in knowing that her spirit lives on in the enduring legacy of service, dignity, and love she instilled in all of us. Her impact on the world will continue through her children, her grandchildren, and the many lives she uplifted.
May God bless you and keep you in His grace during this difficult time.”
Statement from Jackie Harris and Wynton Marsalis on behalf of the Louis Armstrong Education Foundation, the Louis Satchmo Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp and the New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host Committee:
"First Lady Sybil Morial was a cultural icon, a political icon, a community icon and a humanitarian. She is an excellent example of what any and all women should be during their lifetimes.
Sybil vigorously supported the arts and many genres of music in her community and gave freely of her time. She ensured art and music was available to all citizens including those who could not afford to purchase expensive tickets.
Sybil chaired many music and cultural initiatives including the Essence Music Festival Steering Committee.
Since 1995, her strong support of the Arts and Cultural Host Committee which hosts the Louisia Satchmo Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp contributed to the future success of thousands of aspiring jazz musicians.
On behalf of the faculty, alumni and staff of the Jazz Camp, we will miss Sybil dearly."
Orleans Civil District Court Clerk Chelsey Richard Napoleon released a statement on social media saying:
"Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Sybil Haydel Morial, a trailblazer, educator, and advocate who dedicated her life to making New Orleans and the world a better place. Mrs. Morial’s impact on civil rights and education is immeasurable, and her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched. Her strength, elegance, and leadership were an inspiration to us all. My deepest condolences go out to the Morial family during this most difficult time. Mrs. Morial’s spirit will forever be a guiding light for our community."
Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge LaKeisha N. Jefferson released a statement on social media saying:
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mrs. Sybil Morial, a true pillar of strength, grace, and leadership in New Orleans. As an activist, educator, and first African American First Lady of our city, Mrs. Morial paved the way for so many women, particularly in the fight for civil rights and equality. Her unwavering dedication to our community and her profound impact on education and justice will continue to inspire generations to come. My heartfelt condolences go out to the Morial family. May her legacy of courage and leadership live on."
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams reflected on Morial's life and legacy:
"Ms. Sybil spent decades fighting for justice, breaking down barriers, being a leader, supporting other leaders, and raising new champions for justice. She not only waged this fight for equal justice in the face of Jim Crow, but also in the face of institutionalized sexism. It is incomprehensible how she was able to maintain such fortitude at a time when the voices of women were largely ignored. Yet she persevered, impacting generations to come. She weathered all kinds of literal and figurative hurricanes with grace and brilliance.
We have lost a giant.
Thank you to her children and her family for sharing her with all of us."
Orleans Parish Assessor Erroll G. Williams released a statement on Morial's death:
“The Morial family is more than just a leading political influence in my personal and professional life. They are my friends and neighbors. There has been no greater influence in my professional life than Sybil and her husband Dutch. Their efforts in civil rights and education made my opportunities as a young man, and all residents of New Orleans, greater and more open. While I am saddened to know Sybil's time here on earth is done, I am heartened by the fact that she is a great woman of faith. Her entire life as a educator, advocate, wife, mother and civic leader has endeared her to us all. We have lost a person who we all called our own and I am honored to have shared this life with her.”
President and CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Cente, Michael J. Sawaya, issued the following statement on Morial's passing:
“On behalf of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC), we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Morial family on the passing of their matriarch, Mrs. Sybil Morial.
The wife and partner of our namesake and first Black mayor of New Orleans, Ernest ‘Dutch’ Morial, Mrs. Morial was herself a trailblazer, as an educator, civil rights activist and community leader. We are overwhelmingly grateful for her lifelong dedication to the people of New Orleans, and her presence will be dearly missed.
Mrs. Morial’s lasting legacy will live on in the halls of the Convention Center through her family’s continued contributions to the NOENMCC’s Small and Emerging Business program and the annual Morial Awards that recognize local businesses and corporations making exceptional contributions to sustainability and growth in our communities.”
Statement from the Judges of Orleans Parish Civil District Court, First and Second City Court on the passing of Sybil Morial:
"The Judges of Orleans Parish Civil District Court, First and Second City Court mourn the loss of Sybil Haydel Morial who passed away this week at the age of 91. The judges offered their most sincere condolences to Mrs. Morial’s family.
The wife of New Orleans’ first Black Mayor, Dutch Morial, Sybil Morial was a life-long civil rights activist who went about fighting for justice in a quiet and dignified manner. While small in stature she was nonetheless a giant in New Orleans and a beloved champion for justice and equality. “Mrs. Morial inspired generations of young people to fight for civil rights, to be well educated and to seek justice wherever injustice was pervasive,” says Orleans Civil Court Judge Kern Reese. “She is an icon in the New Orleans community and her presence will be sorely, sorely, sorely missed.”
Mrs. Morial leaves behind five children, among them Marc Morial who served as mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002 and the Honorable Monique Morial who is Chief Judge of First City Court. “There are not enough words to properly encompass the great impact that Mrs. Morial has had on so many lives,” says Judge D. Nicole Sheppard, another Orleans Civil Court judge. “Heaven gained an angel and we are left to carry on her torch of fighting for justice.” Sheppard’s colleague at Orleans Civil Court, Judge Ethel Simms Julien adds, “We are truly saddened by the death of Mrs. Sybil Morial, an educator and defender of the rights of others with elegance and class. She will be missed but her example lives on.”
Second City Court Judge E. “Teena” Anderson Trahan says she led the way for justice and equality, “Mrs. Morial was indeed a pioneer of the civil rights movement. Her work within the New Orleans community (and beyond) has benefited generations. Thank you, God’s good and faithful servant. Rest well.”
In addition to her civil rights activism, Mrs. Morial was also an educator at Xavier University for nearly 30 years as a dean and administrator. Her passing is a tremendous loss but leaves a potent legacy of service for the New Orleans community. We ask that you keep her family in your prayers."
Orleans Parish Civil District Court
- Chief Judge Monique E. Barial
- Judge Ellen M. Hazeur
- Judge Marissa Hutabarat
- Judge Sidney H. Cates IV
- Judge Omar Mason
- Judge Jennifer M. Medley
- Judge Veronica E. Henry
- Judge LaKeisha N. Jefferson
- Judge Lori Jupiter
- Judge D. Nicole Sheppard
- Judge Bernadette D'Souza
- Judge Kern A. Reese
- Judge Paulette R. Irons
- Judge Ethel S. Julien
First City Court
- Judge Monique G. Morial
- Judge Elroy A. James
- Judge Dianne Alexander
Second City Court
- Judge E. "Teena" Anderson-Trahan
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