Alice Green
Encyclopedia
Alice Green is an American
political activist, living in Albany, New York
. She is perhaps most notable for her campaigns for political office for Lieutanant Governor of New York in 1998
, and for Mayor of Albany in 2005. Green has been the Executive Director of The Center for Law and Justice, a not-for-profit community organization for many years. Her activism against racism
and on issues of criminal justice
has made her notable as well.
, in the mid-1940s.
Green earned several degrees from SUNY Albany (now U. at Albany). These include a bachelor's in African-American studies, master's degrees in education, social welfare and criminal justice, and a doctorate in criminal justice.
She worked as a secondary school
teacher, a social worker, and as the Executive Director of the Trinity Institution (as of March 2009, the Trinity Alliance for the Capital Region). Starting in the 1960s
, Green's activism gained much local publicity, especially in her role as chair of the NAACP Legal Redress Committee.
She was Legislative Director for the New York Civil Liberties Union
in the 1980s. In 1984, Green founded The Center For Law and Justice, Inc., after the police
shooting of Jessie Davis, an African-American youth
in Albany.
In 1985, Governor Mario Cuomo
appointed her as a member of the Citizens Policy and Complaint Review Council of New York State Commission on Corrections
. In 1986, Cuomo also appointed her as Deputy Commissioner for New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
.
Green organized "much-publicized protests at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events hosted by Governor Pataki
from 1995 through 1999."
She briefly attended Albany Law School
, in 1990, but did not complete her law degree.
In 2005, she was a candidate for Mayor of Albany, which garnered significant local publicity. She lost the race against incumbent Mayor Jerry Jennings
, but garnered about 25 % of the vote in November.
In 2008, Green served as a member of the "Committee to fill vacancies" for Green Presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney
, but was later a top contributor to Democrat Barack Obama
.
compliance officer.
She is an adjunct professor at the University at Albany, and writes and lectures frequently on racism and criminal justice issues. She is often sought out by members of the media for comment on such issues.
She is the co-author, with Frankie Y. Bailey, of a book, "Law Never Here: A Social History of African American Responses to Issues of Crime and Justice" (1999). They also wrote "Wicked Albany: Lawlessness & Liquor in the Prohibition Era."
, including from the New York State Bar Association
, NAACP, and Rockefeller College
.
She has gained considerable notoriety over the years from her political stances, as well as racist and vicious criticism directed at her.
Her papers have been collected for the library at the University of Albany.
She is married to Charles L. Touhey, President of Touhey Associates, who also serves on the board of the Center For Law and Justice, Inc.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
political activist, living in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. She is perhaps most notable for her campaigns for political office for Lieutanant Governor of New York in 1998
New York gubernatorial election, 1998
The New York gubernatorial election of 1998 was an election for the state governorship held on November 3, 1998. Governor George Pataki, the Republican incumbent, was re-elected with 54% of the vote.-Statewide Results:...
, and for Mayor of Albany in 2005. Green has been the Executive Director of The Center for Law and Justice, a not-for-profit community organization for many years. Her activism against racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
and on issues of criminal justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
has made her notable as well.
Early life, education and early career
Green was born in a small town in the Adirondacks area of Upstate New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, in the mid-1940s.
Green earned several degrees from SUNY Albany (now U. at Albany). These include a bachelor's in African-American studies, master's degrees in education, social welfare and criminal justice, and a doctorate in criminal justice.
She worked as a secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
teacher, a social worker, and as the Executive Director of the Trinity Institution (as of March 2009, the Trinity Alliance for the Capital Region). Starting in the 1960s
1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
, Green's activism gained much local publicity, especially in her role as chair of the NAACP Legal Redress Committee.
She was Legislative Director for the New York Civil Liberties Union
New York Civil Liberties Union
The New York Civil Liberties Union is an civil rights organization in the United States. Founded in 1951 as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, it is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with nearly 50,000 members across New York State.NYCLU's stated mission is to...
in the 1980s. In 1984, Green founded The Center For Law and Justice, Inc., after the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
shooting of Jessie Davis, an African-American youth
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
in Albany.
In 1985, Governor Mario Cuomo
Mario Cuomo
Mario Matthew Cuomo served as the 52nd Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994, and is the father of Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York.-Early life:...
appointed her as a member of the Citizens Policy and Complaint Review Council of New York State Commission on Corrections
New York State Department of Correctional Services
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision or NYSDOCCS is the agency of New York State responsible for the care, confinement, and rehabilitation of approximately 63,000 inmates at 71 correctional facilities funded by the State of New York. The department employs...
. In 1986, Cuomo also appointed her as Deputy Commissioner for New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
New York State Division of Parole
The New York State Division of Parole is the division of the government of New York responsible for parole.In criminal justice systems, parole is the supervised release of a prisoner before the completion of his/her sentence...
.
Green organized "much-publicized protests at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events hosted by Governor Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
from 1995 through 1999."
She briefly attended Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
, in 1990, but did not complete her law degree.
Political campaigns
In 1998, Green ran for Lieutenant Governor on the Green Party ticket in New York State on the ticket with Al "Grandpa" Lewis, and gained over 50,000 votes.In 2005, she was a candidate for Mayor of Albany, which garnered significant local publicity. She lost the race against incumbent Mayor Jerry Jennings
Gerald Jennings
Gerald David "Jerry" Jennings is the mayor of Albany, New York, United States. A Democrat, Jennings won a shocking upset in the 1993 mayoral primary over Harold Joyce, who had the Democratic Party’s formal endorsement and had only recently been its chairman. In 1993, he won the general election,...
, but garnered about 25 % of the vote in November.
In 2008, Green served as a member of the "Committee to fill vacancies" for Green Presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney
Cynthia McKinney
Cynthia Ann McKinney is a former US Congresswoman and a member of the Green Party since 2007. As a member of the Democratic Party, she served six terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives. In 2008, the Green Party nominated McKinney for President of the United States...
, but was later a top contributor to Democrat Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Recent work
Green has been the Executive Director of The Center for Law and Justice, a not-for-profit community organization, for many years. That group is part of the "Community Empowerment Center." As part of her work, she is a EEOEEO
EEO may refer to:*Equal Employment Opportunity, a U.S. labor term*European Enforcement Order, an EU law procedure*Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology...
compliance officer.
She is an adjunct professor at the University at Albany, and writes and lectures frequently on racism and criminal justice issues. She is often sought out by members of the media for comment on such issues.
She is the co-author, with Frankie Y. Bailey, of a book, "Law Never Here: A Social History of African American Responses to Issues of Crime and Justice" (1999). They also wrote "Wicked Albany: Lawlessness & Liquor in the Prohibition Era."
Legacy and personal life
Green has won numerous awards for her acitvism in the Capital DistrictCapital District
New York's Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is a region in upstate New York that generally refers to the four counties surrounding Albany, the capital of the state: Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, and Saratoga County...
, including from the New York State Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association , with 77,000 members, is the largest voluntary bar association in the United States.-History:The State Bar was founded with a constitution that dates to 1877...
, NAACP, and Rockefeller College
Rockefeller College
John D. Rockefeller 3rd College, or "Rocky", is one of six residential colleges at Princeton University, USA. It was founded in 1982, making it the third residential college to be established at Princeton. It is named for John D...
.
She has gained considerable notoriety over the years from her political stances, as well as racist and vicious criticism directed at her.
Her papers have been collected for the library at the University of Albany.
She is married to Charles L. Touhey, President of Touhey Associates, who also serves on the board of the Center For Law and Justice, Inc.