
Ethel Lawrence: The Rosa Parks of Housing
16MIN
Availability ended 5/23/2021 EDT
One woman's advocacy changes the affordable housing movement forever.
As a lead plaintiff in the Mount Laurel Doctrine, which is widely considered the most important civil rights decision since Brown v. Board of Education, one woman’s advocacy changes the affordable housing movement forever. Ethel Lawrence was a mother, a teacher, and a wife who braved racist death threats to fight for her community’s right to affordable housing. Joining forces with groundbreaking lawyers Peter O’Connor, Carl Bisgaier, and Ken Meiser, Ethel’s advocacy led to a legal victory that set a nationwide precedent and the creation of an award winning social justice nonprofit called Fair Share Housing Development founded by O’Connor that would transform the lives of thousands of NJ residents.
Credits
Directed by Katia Kalei Barricklow
Written by Katia Kalei Barricklow
Produced by Katia Kalei Barricklow
Cast Ethel Halley
Peter O'Connor
Carl Bisgaier
Nicole Yancy and daughters Jordan and Perfect
Anadie Ruberte
Deitra Chamberlain