[In Memoriam] Durham's Dr. Lavonia Allison: "No Shrinking Violet"

Dr. Lavonia Ingram Allison, a formidable Durham civil rights advocate who didn’t shy from confrontation, died on Jan. 7 at the age of 94.

Her son, Vincent, shared news of her passing on Facebook, describing her as “an incredibly strong woman who dedicated the majority of her life in the fight for social justice for her people. Her resilience, wisdom, and boundless love were the cornerstone of our family, and she will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.”

In her lifetime, she helped boost Black voter participation and elected officials, and brought federal attention to racial inequities in schools. She worked on Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign in 1972. She led the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, one of the city’s most prominent political organizations. She taught at North Carolina Central University in the Department of Physical Education and Recreation.

On the X social media platform, Mayor Leonardo Williams called Allison an icon, a legend, and a waymaker who “helped carve the way for Black women in office, created access to voting rights, and was a warrior for civil and social rights.”

“She will be truly missed but always felt,” Williams wrote. “May her soul live forever in our hearts, drive our purpose, and create change needed for the people of Durham.”

On Threads, Durham Public Schools Board of Education member Wendell Tabb stated: “Dr. Allison believed in equality for Durham’s most marginalized communities. Throughout her life, she fought tirelessly to protect the communities she served.”

Durham Sheriff Clarence Birkhead said: “I admired her work representing the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People and many other civic groups. She served as a shining example of selfless leadership everyone in Durham should follow.”

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein called Allison a “fierce and strong leader – a powerful and inspiring advocate for the people of Durham.”

“I feel privileged to have known her for the past 25 years,” Stein said.

Walter Jackson, chair of the Durham Committee until Jan. 26 when Floyd McKissick Jr. transitions into the role, became close to Allison during the past 20 years. But he remembered her from his days at Whitted Junior High School where she taught girls’ physical education.

“She was something of a mentor to me as I progressed through the ranks of the Durham Committee, and she was solely responsible for helping me get elected to one of the leading offices in the North Carolina Democratic Party some years ago,” Jackson said.

Allison was a remarkable woman, he said, the sort who doesn’t come along every day.

“Actually, people like her don’t come along every year or even every decade,” he said.

Jackson praised her unparalleled dedication, commitment, and work ethic, saying, “She seemed to know no fear, and never backed down in a confrontation. Sure, she rubbed some people the wrong way, but it was her standing up for what she believed that made her such an effective advocate.”

Her commitment extended to her family – her late husband F. V. “Pete” Allison and her children, Michelle and Vincent. She attended many events critical to the African American community in Durham and elsewhere in the state.

“She was no shrinking violet,” Jackson said, “and her style made her stand out in almost any crowd. She could, would, and did talk. And when she talked, people listened, and I think they were almost always glad they did.”

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