Activist Alberta Henry dies at 84

Civil rights leader Alberta Hill Henry, former educator and head of the local chapter for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, died Wednesday, May 11, 2005. She was 84.

Henry, who had been diagnosed about a year ago with cancer, according to her family, had been treated at CareSource Home Health and Hospice since Saturday.

"Feisty," "dedicated," and "strong willed," are a few words those who worked with Henry used to describe the woman who dedicated her life to civil rights causes ranging from housing to employment to education.

"She was a primary and strong mover here in the community for many years," said the Rev. France Davis of Calvary Baptist Church, Henry's pastor and friend.

Henry's daughter, Julia Leyba, remembered her mother as "just a very strong person, a pillar of the community, an advocate of civil rights . . .

"She loved to help people," Leyba said. "I loved my mother. . . . She made a lot of impact on a lot of people's lives. And she was my friend, not just my mother, but my friend."

Jeanetta Williams, president of the Salt Lake Branch NAACP, also praised her predecessor. "We are saddened to hear about her death, our condolences go out to her family. She was very dedicated to the NAACP and the civil rights movement."

Henry served as president of the NAACP's Salt Lake Branch for 12 years. She had also served on the chapter's board of directors and as youth adviser.

In 1967, she established the Alberta Henry Education Foundation, which has helped hundreds of underprivileged students pay for college.

Henry served on more than 100 boards and committees, including the Utah State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the United Way, Utah Endowment for the Humanities, and the Black Advisory Board to the University of Utah.

Gov. Jon Hunstman Jr. acknowledged Henry's service, saying, "She lived a life worth emulating and always stood tall in championing basic human dignity."

Retired Judge Raymond Uno noted, "she got people's attention when she spoke."

In July 1970, Henry received a commendation certificate from President Richard Nixon "in recognition of exceptional service to others in the finest American tradition."

The University of Utah awarded her an honorary doctorate degree in 1971, and she was reportedly the first black woman to be inducted to the Salt Lake Council of Women's Hall of Fame.

"I believe everyone — black and white alike — should be dedicated," Henry said in a 1970 interview. "To want to accomplish something worthwhile, to really want to do something of significance with your life, is the most important thing there is."