Lucy Brown dedicated her life to advancing racial justice, educational equity, and affordable housing. As a co-founder of INHS, Lucy Brown was instrumental in the nonprofit’s long-term growth and commitment to affordable housing, especially in Ithaca’s  Southside neighborhood. She was a longtime board member of INHS and served on the Ithaca City School Board, the Board of Public Works, and Urban Renewal Agency as a strong advocate for neighborhood residents, ensuring that resident issues are central in all decision-making. 

Despite depicting her younger self, Lucy Brown’s statue features her voice at the age of 86. Driven to a recording studio in Atlanta with the help of her daughter and dedicated staff, Lucy narrates her life story, including her birth in Ithaca and her lifelong dedication to housing needs. Reflecting on her resilience, she famously states, “I made the best of what was given to me.”