Dr. Zena D. Crenshaw-Logal, age 62, of Atlanta, Georgia was born on September 25, 1959 in Gary, Indiana, to the late Eddie and Nina Crenshaw. She passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Rodney A. Logal, whom she loved with all her heart. They were married for 18 years before his passing. She is further preceded in death by her older sister, Betty Jean Martin, and older brother, Earnest Lee Washington.
Zena is survived by her siblings: Sylvia Crenshaw-Day of Lubbock, TX, Gwendolyn Crenshaw of Atlanta, GA, Edward J. Crenshaw of Atlanta, GA, Milbert Brown, Jr. (Michelle) of Columbia, MD, Ann Brown Johnson (Virgil) of St. Louis, MO, Cedric L. Brown (Carmen) of Indianapolis, Ind, and Dr. Marvin C. Brown, Sr. (Deborah) of Jonesboro, GA. She was blessed with several nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews that loved her dearly, as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Zena was not blessed with children of her own, but was Godmother to several and was also a God Grandmother. She was an honorary member of the Artis Family of East Chicago, Ind.
From an early age, Zena knew she wanted to become an Attorney. She achieved her goal in 1977, graduating from Gary Roosevelt as Salutatorian of her class. She went on to enroll in the University of Notre Dame in 1977 and was distinguished as a National Merit. Notre Dame and Indiana State Scholar, Dr. Zena, graduated from the University in 1981 with a dual major in English and Philosophy. She subsequently entered and graduated in 1984 from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois, distinguished as an Earl Warren Scholar. A summer session of her legal education was completed at the Notre Dame Law Centre in London, England.
Dr. Zena Crenshaw-Logal, J.D., widow of NJCDLP’s late co-founder, Mr. Rodney A. Logal, is a founding director, as well as Executive Committee Board Member of the organization. She was also NJCDLP’s Executive Director. Dr. Crenshaw-Logal has authored well over 100 articles, online and print, addressing various aspects of grassroots advocacy, First Amendment issues, democracy, human rights, and the Administration of Justice in America. She is the author of THE OFFICIAL END OF JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH FEDERAL RIGHTS LITIGATION: Ashcroft v. lqbal” 35 Am. J. Advoc. 125 (Summer 2011) and Exploring the Vitality of Stare Decisis in America. Boca Raton: Universal Publishers, 2012. Dr. Crenshaw-Logal is a national spokesperson on tactics thwarting proper standards for regulating First Amendment activities among lawyers when their criticism of the judiciary or a judicial officer is involved.
Prior to working full-time as a legal reform activist beginning in 1998, Dr. Crenshaw-Logal engaged in a general civil law practice which primarily consisted of her prosecuting complex, personal injury claims, and advising small to medium for profits as well as nonprofit entities. Dr. Crenshaw-Logal is the Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee for the Council of Organizations, a close affiliate of the United Nations Association of the U.S.A. (UNA-USA) as well as the United Nations Foundation. She was recruited to be and was, until her passing, a member of the NationSwell Leadership Council.
Dr. Crenshaw-Logal has advocated for judicial reform nationally and internationally. Her work has been recognized throughout the United States and the United Nations. She is the country’s leading voice for judicial accountability. Dr. Zena D. Crenshaw-Logal was head of many organizations and it would take years to name everything that she was, not only to her family, but to the world.
From Andrea Armstead: A friend is there for you always. A friend does everything possible to help others achieve their goals. A friend gives their time, their enthusiasm, their energy, their ideas, and their hope. Zena was selfless in championing the needs of those who had no voice. She worked long hours daily, advocating for equal justice under the law. Often working for little to no compensation. Zena was a powerful voice, that is now silenced. Zena was a friend. Zena was my friend.
The family will host a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 2:00 pm in the Rosehaven Chapel with Pastor Sam Braswell officiating. Flowers sent to the family are appreciated and encouraged.
Those who wish to express condolences or share a special memory may do so online at www.whitleygarner.com
Arrangements by: Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home, Douglasville, GA 30134, 770-942-4246
