Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Gloria Winston: Rochester, NY community icon Gloria Winston, 79, passes away

Gloria Winston Al-Sarag: 7/24/45 - 11/11/24

Gloria Winston, a lifelong advocate for civil rights, a community organizer, writer and a powerful voice for the Rochester community, passed away Monday at the age of 79. Born in Newport News, Virginia on July 24, 1945, Gloria's life was filled with a deep commitment to social justice, local engagement, and the celebration of Black history and culture.

Known later as Gloria Winston Al-Sarag, Gloria was raised in Rochester's historic Third Ward, later renamed Corn Hill, a neighborhood she fondly remembered as a tight-knit community with a strong sense of family and pride. Her father, a World War II veteran from Alabama, and her mother from North Carolina, moved the family to Rochester, where Gloria grew up among notable figures, including neighbors Dr. Anthony L. Jordan and Dr. Charles T. Lunsford. Her community embodied a rich tapestry of history, resilience, and solidarity—qualities that profoundly shaped Gloria’s life.

Starting from a young age, Gloria was actively engaged in community matters. At only 12, she was writing a column for The Montgomery Center Journal. She was also heavily involved in Rochester’s Junior NAACP Chapter, alongside prominent activists like Dr. Walter Cooper and Laplois Ashford, fostering her passion for activism that would carry through her entire life. Her legacy includes fighting against social injustices and advocating for Rochester's Black community through every role she assumed.

Gloria was instrumental in founding ‘about… time Magazine’ In 1970. The publication was assumed by James and Carolyn Blount in 1971. Under the leadership of the Blount’s, the news magazine flourished and became a staple in the community, chronicling Rochester’s African American experience, Black achievement and social progress until their passing—James died in 2023 and Carolyn passed earlier this year.

Gloria also took her activism to the national stage, working for civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson during his presidential run and former Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, where she helped organize campaigns in nine states.

Beyond her activism, Gloria was a cherished storyteller, weaving narratives of the past to inspire the future. She was known for her hard-hitting, no holds barred column “Straight, No Chaser”, in which she would tackle community issues and offered her critique and criticism of anyone she deemed deserving.

“Straight, no Chaser” was a weekly feature in the Frederick Douglass Voice newspaper in the 90’s and later resurfaced in Minority Reporter Newspaper from 2008 to 2019.

“There are some people that come into your life and change it forever. There was no one more loyal, no one that loved harder, no one that told you how she felt, how you should feel and what you should do more than my adopted Aunt Gloria Winston Al-Sarag,” wrote former Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren.

“She was a firecracker, a prolific writer and orator, a Black Panther, local Civil Rights icon and master of words. She gave it to you ‘straight with no chaser’. I’m going to miss you. I’m going to miss laughing with you at family gatherings and listening to your stories about working for the Jesse Jackson’s Presidential Campaign, with Connie Mitchell, Malcolm X, Minister Florence Sr. and all the magnificent things you did in this life. Never one to be out front but always working behind the scenes.”

“I’ve known Gloria since childhood. She lived on Adams Street and I lived on Clarissa St,” remembers Joan Coles Howard. “Gloria was a long-time Rochester resident but was well traveled and very knowledgeable. She was actively involved in the community. Anyone who knew her, knew she was the embodiment of her column ‘Straight no Chaser'. I will miss her dearly."

Gloria believed deeply in the responsibility of passing wisdom to the next generation and was preparing to host a new weekly show, Liberation, on Royal Broadcasting. She planned to use this platform to address pressing local issues, aiming to inspire Rochester’s youth to take pride in their community and continue the work of those who paved the way before them.

Gloria leaves behind a legacy of love, courage, and unyielding dedication to justice. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a formidable presence who tirelessly fought for equality and inspired others to see the progress within their own communities.

Funeral update:

Friends may call Saturday, November 23 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams Street, Rochester, NY. The Funeral Service to Celebrate her life will immediately follow at 12 Noon with Rev. Dr. Lawrence Hargrave, officiating. Interment at the convenience of the family.