Josephine Wright may have captured worldwide attention with her fight to save her late husband’s ancestral land, but those who knew her weren’t at all surprised by her unwavering determination. Many gathered this weekend on Hilton Head Island to remember the 94-year-old who died as her battle drags on in court.
Wright just wanted to live out the rest of her life in peace on the property that’s been in the family since the Civil War when bulldozers began to surround her home. She’d turned down an offer to buy the land years ago and thought nothing of it, until she was served with a lawsuit last February by a developer who claimed it encroached on their plans for a new subdivision.
Wright's fight
Wright fought back and hired a civil rights attorney. The land has been passed down for generations, purchased by an ancestor freed from slavery. Similar Gullah Geechee property used to make up much of the island but has since been lost to developers and higher property taxes.
The story of this tiny matriarch, less than 5 feet tall, standing up to developers suddenly grew when media mogul Tyler Perry took to social media pledging support. He donated thousands to the family’s GoFundMe page. Then rapper Snoop Dogg and NBA star Kyrie Irving did too. Wright’s message of perseverance quickly went viral.
Her talent and generosity
Altimese Nichole has served as the Wright family spokesperson, juggling media requests. She’s also friends with one of Wright’s 40 grandchildren and affectionately called her “Grandma Josephine.” Nicole recalls a day she had scheduled an interview with Wright at her home.
“And I show up at the house and I say, ‘Hey Grandma,’ and they (family members) say, ‘Give us like 30 minutes, grandma is upholstering some furniture’."
Nicole says Wright also made robes for the church choir as well as colorful garments for herself. She even recently remodeled her own bathroom.
But perhaps Nicole remembers the Hilton Head matriarch most for her love and generosity.
“She's just such a beautiful soul and I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience her love.”
Her Legacy
Those who have fought to save the rapidly disappearing land and culture of the direct descendants of enslaved Africans say they now have an ally in Wright’s legacy. 83-year-old Dr. Emory Campbell grew up on Hilton Head just miles from Wright’s land.
“Oh yeah, I think she’s looking down, cheering us on,” says Campbell. " I think we'll remember her as the little lady with the big stick."
Victoria Smalls of nearby St. Helena Island calls Wright a towering example for Gullah Geechee people.
“She’s that mighty oak tree that now we can look at as an example of what we must do in our communities to hold on to dear life to our land and our culture and our people,” says Smalls.
Wright’s family has started a foundation in her name to help other Gullah Geechee families save their land. She is survived by four children, 40 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Wright will be buried Tuesday on Hilton Head Island.
