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BIOGRAPHY:  Doris W. Jones

Doris W. Jones was described by those who knew and loved her as ".a strong voice, tenacious fighter and compassionate conscience for tenants and tenants rights in the Niagara Falls community, even in the face of strong adversity and opposition."

Doris was born in 1935 in Red Level Alabama. Her parents were Rufus and Rosie Jones. Doris moved to Niagara Falls, New York in 1944, where she began her advocacy to promote self-sufficiency and improve the overall quality of life for public housing residents. In 1975, Doris was elected President of the Center Court Tenant Association. In 1976, she was elected to the Niagara Falls Housing Authority >Board of Commissioners, where she served for more than twenty-five years. She successfully initiated a variety of programs for the Niagara Falls Housing Authority including: The Summer Enrichment Program, Livin' Large and I Can Read Tutorial Programs, Annual Run from Drugs, Annual Thanksgiving Feast, and a host of job development and training programs. She developed numerous partnerships with local community agencies and organizations and was instrumental in obtaining funding for several of the Housing Authority's mentoring programs and activities.

In 2001, Doris received the distinguished Resident of the Year award from the National Association of African Americans in Housing at their annual conference in San Francisco. In 2002, she was the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Award. In her acceptance speech, she stated "I have tried to live my life similarly to the following quotation that I heard from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King >himself, The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in movement of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."

Doris Jones (center) with Don King (left) and Rev. Al Sharpton (right).

Doris was a founding member of the Niagara Improvement Association >and an instrumental member of the Niagara County Black Achievers, Inc. Her humanitarian efforts earned her certificates of meritorious service. She was inducted into the Housing Authority's "Wall of Fame" in 1992. In 1998, she received the "Heroes of Public Housing" Award from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for her dedication and loyalty to the Housing Authority and its residents and for her constant encouragement. In 2002, she was honored at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority's 60^th Anniversary Celebration with the distinguished "People and Possibilities" Award for service with distinction. Doris served as a 2^nd Legislative District committeewoman for over forty-five years.

Miss Jones worked tirelessly as an Elections Inspector and held various positions with the Niagara County Department of Social Services and Mt. Saint Mary's Hospital. She was a faithful member of the New Jerusalem Revival Center Independent Church of God in Christ and always let her strong faith in God be her guide.

She had a strong love for children and often commented, "they are where our future lie, we all must be role models and nurture these children so that they can reach their full potential." In addition to her son, Raymond, she had three grandchildren whom she adored.

Doris W. Jones died on September 11, 2002. If Doris could be described succinctly, there would be just three words to describe this incredible woman, "Political and Community Activist, Advocate and Friend."