Alice Green: The Adirondack Roots of a Civil Rights Icon
Alice Green, Adirondack Icon.
In recognition of Women’s History Month, we shine a spotlight on women influenced by or from the Adirondacks who have accomplished amazing things. One of those women is Alice Green, a civil rights leader born and raised in the Adirondacks.
Alice Green: The Adirondack roots of a civil rights champion.
In the vast, rugged beauty of the Adirondack Mountains, Alice Green’s journey began in a small-town setting that shaped her worldview in unexpected ways. Today, she is known as a fierce advocate for racial and social justice, serving as the Executive Director of the Center for Law and Justice in Albany, New York.
But long before she became a leading voice for civil rights, she was a young girl growing up in the North Country—an environment that would shape her resilience, determination, and passion for change.
Alice Green was born in Witherbee, a small hamlet in Essex County, deep in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Her early years were spent in a region known for its natural beauty but also marked by its complex social and economic history.
Witherbee, once a thriving mining community, reflected the struggles of working-class families, where racial and economic inequalities were often unspoken but deeply felt.
Witherbee in the Adirondacks.
Though the Adirondacks are often perceived as overwhelmingly white and removed from the racial struggles of urban America, Green’s experiences growing up as an African American in this setting gave her a unique perspective.
She witnessed firsthand the challenges of being a minority in a rural landscape, yet she also saw the power of community and perseverance. Her early education in the North Country reinforced the importance of learning and self-determination.
The libraries, small classrooms, and the vast, open landscapes of the Adirondacks fueled her intellectual curiosity and a deep appreciation for justice. She recognized early on that change—whether in a small town or on a national scale—begins with knowledge and action.
The path to activism and advocacy
Green pursued her education with the same tenacity that would later define her advocacy work. She earned degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh and the University at Albany, studying education, criminal justice, and public policy. Her academic journey reflected her commitment to understanding the systems that shape society—particularly those that disproportionately affect communities of color.
Alice Green near her childhood home in Essex County.
Her work as an educator and later as an advocate was driven by a belief that everyone deserves equal access to justice regardless of race or economic status.
She became deeply involved in criminal justice reform, recognizing the disparities that placed African Americans and other minorities at a disadvantage.
In Albany, she founded the Center for Law and Justice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting systemic injustices in the legal system. Through this work, Green has helped countless individuals navigate an often unforgiving system, pushing for policies that address racial disparities in policing, incarceration, and economic opportunity.
A voice for justice in New York.
Green’s leadership extended beyond direct advocacy. She ran for public office, spoke at national conferences, and contributed to discussions on criminal justice reform at the state and national levels.
Her work emphasized policy changes and the need for systemic transformation, calling for better education, community investment, and a justice system that fairly serves all people.
Her commitment to justice earned her widespread recognition. Yet, despite her many achievements, Green remained deeply connected to her Adirondack roots. She often spoke about how growing up in the North Country instilled a sense of independence and courage—essential in her fight for equality.
The Adirondack influence.
The Adirondacks have long been home to people who challenge the status quo. From abolitionists who used the region as a stop on the Underground Railroad to activists fighting for environmental protection, the mountains have fostered a spirit of resistance and resilience. Alice Green is part of that tradition.
Alice Green’s memoir about growing up in the Adirondacks.
Her experiences growing up in Witherbee gave her a keen awareness of injustice and a belief in the power of individuals to create change. The vast, unyielding landscape of the Adirondacks mirrored the challenges she would later face in her career—difficult, often daunting, but never insurmountable.
A legacy of change.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Alice Green’s story reminds us of the power of perseverance, education, and activism. Her journey from a small Adirondack town to the forefront of the fight for civil rights is a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets purpose.
She has left an indelible mark on New York’s justice system and paved the way for future generations of advocates. Through her work, she challenged injustices, amplified marginalized voices, and inspired countless individuals to believe in the possibility of change.
Alice Green’s story is not just one of personal success—it is a story of a lifelong commitment to justice, rooted in the lessons learned in the mountains of the Adirondacks and carried forward into the heart of New York’s most pressing civil rights battles.
Learn more about Alice Green’s experience growing up black in the Adirondacks.
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