Hempstead To Rename Town Hall Plaza After Dorothy Goosby

HEMPSTEAD, NY — The Hempstead Town Board surprised its longest-serving member last week when the board announced that it would be naming the plaza at Town Hall after Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby.

The board made the announcement at the town's African American History Month Celebration on Feb. 27, which also happened to be Goosby's birthday. Supervisor Don Clavin — joined by Hempstead Town Councilmen Bruce Blakeman, Anthony D’Esposito, Dennis Dunne, Tom Muscarella and Christopher Carini, Town Clerk Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll — unveiled a printed replica of a dedication plaque for “Senior Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby Plaza,” which will be installed at a later date outside the Nathan L.H. Bennett Pavilion at Hempstead Town Hall. The plaza is being named after Goosby in recognition of her efforts to obtain equal voting rights for African Americans and other minorities in Hempstead Town.

“At a time when African Americans and other minority groups were underrepresented in Hempstead Town government, Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby challenged the status quo and fought for equal voting rights,” said Clavin. “I am personally honored to serve alongside this civil rights champion, and the Town of Hempstead is proud to name Town Hall Plaza as ‘Senior Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby Plaza.’”

In 1988, Goosby — then a private citizen — filed a lawsuit against the Town of Hempstead, stating that its at-large voting system for electing town council members discriminated against African Americans and other minority groups who comprised a smaller percentage of the town’s population. In 1997, a federal judge ruled in favor of Goosby and her supporters. And, in 1999, Goosby ran for office and became the first African American woman ever to serve on the Hempstead Town Council.

As a result of Goosby’s lawsuit, six councilmanic districts were established in the town. This allowed for more equal representation of African Americans and other minority groups in government.

In November 2000, a special election was held for all six seats; Goosby was re-elected to serve Councilmanic District 1 — which encompasses Hempstead, Lakeview, Roosevelt and portions of Baldwin, Freeport, Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, Uniondale and West Hempstead. Over the past 20 years, district residents have repeatedly re-elected Goosby by an overwhelming majority.

“There are so many incredible African American people, stories and moments that have been chronicled from all across our nation, but it is important to acknowledge that Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby made true civil rights history right here in the Town of Hempstead,” Clavin said. “Senior Councilwoman Goosby blazed a path for others to follow in her footsteps, and it’s fitting that the walkway leading directly to Hempstead Town Hall will forever be named in her honor.”