RyeGPT People of Note: Civil Rights Activist & Publisher M. Paul Redd Sr.

RyeGPT People of Note is a series highlighting individuals who have a connection to the City of Rye. In the series we ask OpenAI’s ChatGPT to prepare a biography and explain the individual’s connection to Rye.

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M. Paul Redd Sr. was a prominent civil rights activist, publisher, and community leader in Westchester County, New York. Born in 1928, Redd dedicated his life to advocating for social justice and equality. He began his career as a writer for the Westchester County Press in 1961 and later became its publisher and president in 1986. Under his leadership, the newspaper continued to highlight issues pertinent to the African American community, focusing on politics, education, and civil rights.

In the early 1960s, Redd and his wife, Orial Anne Banks Redd, faced racial discrimination when they were denied housing at the Rye Colony garden apartments in Rye, New York. The Redds’ pursuit of housing equality was notably supported by local residents, including Lotte Kunstler, the wife of civil rights attorney William Kunstler, and author Dorothy Sterling. In an effort to expose discriminatory practices at Rye Colony, local residents Lotte Kunstler and Dorothy Sterling—visited the rental office to confirm the availability of units. Their findings provided crucial evidence that apartments were being withheld from African American applicants like the Redds.

Determined to challenge this injustice, the Redds pursued legal action, leading to a landmark discrimination case. The case was taken by attorney Kunstler, and was his first civil rights case in a notable (and some would say notorious) legal career. At the time Kunstler and his wife lived in Port Chester.

The efforts culminated in December 1962 when they won the case, allowing them to move into the Rye Colony apartments. This victory was instrumental in the passage of anti-discrimination legislation known as the “Redd Bill” in 1962, which aimed to prevent such injustices in the future.

William Kunstler’s brother, Michael Kunstler, was a resident of Rye, and his family’s involvement in civil rights issues further connected the Redds’ case to the larger movement against racial discrimination. Additionally, Dorothy Sterling, a Rye resident and accomplished author known for her works on African American history and civil rights, played a significant role in the Redds’ struggle. Her activism, including her participation in the investigation of the Rye Colony’s discriminatory practices, contributed to the legal battle that ultimately led to the Redds’ victory.

Beyond this significant legal battle, Redd was deeply involved in various civic and political initiatives. He was a founding member of the Black Democrats of Westchester in the 1950s and served as a vice chair of the Westchester County Democratic Committee. His commitment to public service extended to his role as president and chief operating officer of the Westchester/Putnam Affirmative Action Program, through which he facilitated job training and placement for approximately 4,000 individuals, predominantly African Americans, over seven years. He served as president of the Port Chester/Rye NAACP.

Orial Anne Banks Redd, born on April 19, 1924, was a steadfast partner in her husband’s endeavors. Together, they purchased and maintained the Westchester County Press, ensuring it remained a vital voice for the African American community. Orial lived to be 100 years old, passing away peacefully on June 11, 2024. Her family has generational ties to Rye dating back to the late 1800s.

The Redds’ efforts not only secured housing for their family but also set a precedent that challenged and changed discriminatory housing practices in the area. Their legacy is remembered and honored within the community, including through annual scholarships established by the Port Chester/Rye NAACP in M. Paul Redd Sr.’s name, supporting local high school students.

Paul Redd Sr. passed away on January 9, 2009, at the age of 80, leaving behind a profound legacy of activism and service. His life’s work significantly advanced civil rights and equality in Westchester County and beyond. 

(VIDEO, below: Excerpt from William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe with Paul Redd Sr.)