Community Mourns Loss of Activist Hazel Mae Land

A joyful and heartfelt group of people came together on Saturday, February 14, 2026, to honor Ms. Hazel Mae Land, Esquire, who passed away on February 2, 2026, at the age of 93. Born in Brooksville on June 12, 1932, Ms. Land was raised in the city, graduated from Moton High School in 1949, and then left to pursue further education at Tuskegee University.

Ms. Land lived a life of service and accomplished much in her 93 years. She served in the Peace Corps in the Philippines and Nigeria. Upon her return to the United States, Ms. Land became active in the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and served as the Tennessee State Director of that organization and later founded the local chapter in Hernando County. In 1973, she enrolled in the University of Florida Law School, becoming the first African American female to graduate as a lawyer from that institution. For several years, Ms. Land practiced law in Clearwater before dedicating nine years to Withlacoochee Area Legal Services.

Her cousin, Andrew Williams, who calls her “Aunt Hazel,” remembers riding the train at 10 years of age to visit her when she was living in New Jersey with her older sister, Rose Etta Perry. He would spend the whole summer there. “Aunt Hazel gave me my ‘jump start’ in life,” he commented. “If she did anything she would give it 300%. She was fair, honest, no nonsense, but she would joke a bit.” His cousin was also a role model. I’m sure it was partly due to her influence that Williams went on to serve eight years in the Air Force, including two tours of duty in the Vietnam War theatre. He then attended college in the Virgin Islands, eventually returning to Brooksville to work for the Hernando County government.

The funeral service for Ms. Land was held at an undisclosed location. Her legacy will continue to inspire the community she served.

Originally reported by Hernando Sun

Sources: Hernando Sun