In 1971, shortly after Dianne Jackson made her home at Cooper Park Houses in Williamsburg Brooklyn she became active in the community: advocating for her neighbors and public housing and fighting for positive change and justice in North Brooklyn. She was a long-time president of the Cooper Park Houses Resident Council and was on the board of NYCHA’s Citywide Council of Presidents. In addition, she was a member of National Congress of Neighborhood Women (NCNW) and the NYPD Community Council, among others.
She was an expert at collaboration with and in empowering other activists, knowing she couldn’t do it all by herself. Especially, as she had a family to raise and her work at the USPS.
Dianne Jackson was known for her charming authenticity. To those she went up against she served up truth with caring and humor without holding back her views or stipulations. Some of the things she fought for were: bringing affordable housing and other community services to the Greenpoint Hospital site, preserving public housing citywide, co-naming Grandparents Avenue, and preserving the 94th Precinct in North Brooklyn; and fighting against excessive garbage trucks on our streets.
North Brooklyn felt her loss first when Jackson moved to Philadelphia after retiring from NYCHA resident leadership in 2012. However, she returned several times since to visit the neighborhood.
Many elected officials who have worked with or were inspired by Dianne Jackson’s work shared their loss with the public after hearing of her death.
U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez said, “I was incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Dianne Jackson, a friend, and tireless activist on behalf of New York City’s public housing residents. As a lifetime public housing resident, she became a leader and activist dedicated to improving living conditions and advocating for tenant rights. Dianne worked with NCNW and helped organize women in the fight for healthcare services, daycare, and community services for young people. She served on numerous anti-poverty boards, including the first NYC Area Policy Board, comprised of community leaders charged with helping to secure local funding for communities. She was a member of the NYPD Community Council and a voice against police abuse, while supporting public safety measures to keep neighborhoods safe. Dianne also organized residents to join the fight against environmental degradation, local waste companies, and polluting manufacturers. Dianne touched so many lives through her work, and our city is undoubtedly a better place because of her. She will be sorely missed, but I’m heartened to know that her legacy will inspire young people looking to stand up against injustice in our great city.”
“We lost a legend this week — Dianne Jackson of Cooper Park. She served as president of Cooper Park Tenant Association for 27 years! She was a tenacious and fearless leader who led with love. I had the greatest admiration for Ms. Jackson. We will all need to fight a little harder for justice and for NYCHA tenants to honor her great legacy,” said NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler.
Dianne Jackson is survived by her husband, Leonizio Gonzalez; sons, Gerron and Tyreik; her daughter, Sharondria; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers, David and Curtis; sister, Delores; many loved ones and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
The Greenline 