Sandra Adickes is a tireless civil and human rights activist who has dedicated her life to empowering the people of New York City and beyond. A respected teacher and organizer, Adickes has left her mark in the fight for justice and equality for all. From leading protests in the name of Civil Rights to launching initiatives to support and educate young people, Adickes embodies the power of activism.
The Early Years and Beginnings of Activism
Adickes was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, but later moved to Sunnyside, Queens when she was 18. Her father was a professor of political science and a labor organizer, and her mother was a professor of Spanish literature and a literature collector. Adickes attended Brooklyn College where she earned a BA and MA. Her studies exposed her to the apparent racial inequalities of the world around her and motivated her to begin her activism.
In 1961, Adickes attended the historic march in support of the Freedom Riders in Anniston, Alabama. She soon afterwards became an outspoken leader in the Civil Rights Movement and organized protests and sit-ins throughout the city. In 1963, she relocated to Washington, D.C., to attend Howard University and receive an MA in Education.
Adickes would later return to New York City and become a teacher for the Board of Education where she taught high school and special education classes.
Leadership in the Education, Civil Rights and Human Rights Movements
Adickes has contributed significantly to the struggle for education and civil rights in the New York City area. She founded Teach and Learn, an organization dedicated to supporting students and teachers, as well as providing a safe haven for at-risk youth. She was also active in the National Organization for Women and was the founding president of NOW’s NYC chapter in 1968.
In 1967, she joined the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and began to organize student-led protests throughout the city. She also demonstrated her leadership skills by attending the first conference of the National Committee on Civil Rights and becoming a member of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund.
Adickes has also been an outspoken critic of the abuses that prisoners face in the United States. She founded Freedom for Philadelphia Prisoners of Conscience in 1971, a group which organized to oppose mass incarceration and the prison-industrial complex.
Adickes’ Impact on the City
Adickes constantly strove to bring education and economic opportunity to underserved populations in New York City. In addition to teaching, she was known for leading protests against racism and police brutality in the city. Adickes was also an advocate of fair housing and worked to open public housing to people of color.
Adickes was also a strong advocate for women’s rights and worked with many organizations to promote the rights of female students and teachers. Her activism led to state and federal legislation that addressed issues such as sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.
Adickes’ Legacy
Adickes has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. She has been inducted into the Brooklyn College Hall of Fame for her role in the Civil Rights Movement, and the New York City Council recognized her in 2008 as a “model of educational leadership.”
Adickes continues to be an advocate for people of color, women, and educational reform. Her legacy of activism and her commitment to bringing justice and equity to marginalized communities lives on.
Sandra Adickes’ life and activism is representative of the struggles faced by people of color and women in New York City, and her contribution to the city and the nation has been invaluable. Adickes is an example of the power of grassroots activism and its capacity to bring about positive change. Her tireless activism and commitment to the cause of justice and equality is an inspiration to all.
