Orial Banks Redd
A Life of Resilience and Advocacy

Orial Anne (Banks) Redd (1924-2024)was a lifelong civil rights advocate and public servant in Westchester County, NY. Her family settled in Rye in 1912, when few African American residents lived there. She graduated from Rye High School in 1942 and later attended a historically Black college.

In 1961, Orial and her husband, M. Paul Redd, faced housing discrimination at Rye Colony. Their legal challenge led to the 1962 Redd Bill, a landmark anti-discrimination law. They also amplified Black voices through the Westchester County Press.

Orial held leadership roles, including Deputy Westchester County Executive, and in 1985, served as an Ambassador to Japan. A dedicated activist and NAACP leader, she was featured in William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe, ensuring her legacy of justice endures.