Greenburgh's Olivia Hooker, African-American Pioneer, Dies At 103

Renowned for being the first African-American woman admitted into the Coast Guard as well as being a survivor of the Oklahoma Black Wall Street Riots, Olivia Hooker died on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at her Westchester home at the age of 103.

Valerie Musson

11/23/2018 1:10 p.m.

The Greenburgh resident was only 5 years old during the Oklahoma Black Wall Riots. She talks of her experience in a YouTube video, which has since been nominated for an Emmy award.

“Olivia was loved in Greenburgh, and contributed to our community. She always had time for everyone--whether it was the President of the United States (she met with President Obama) or children interviewing her for a project about her life,” Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said.

Tulsa residents will be paying their respects on Friday, Nov. 23 at the Historic Vernon A.M.E. Church, according to News6.

“She will be missed,” Feiner concluded. “Our town was lucky to be the community that Olivia Hooker called home.”

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