Celebrating Black American Women in the Law

The path to becoming a lawyer was not an easy one for the first Black American female lawyer, Charlotte E. Ray. According to History.com, “during the 19th century, women were largely barred from the legal profession. They were forbidden from obtaining licenses to practice law in many areas and couldn’t join the professional associations that would allow them to advance in their careers.” In fact, “Charlotte E. Ray was the first female graduate from the Howard University Law Department in 1872.” The story of Attorney Ray continues, “even though she knew that women weren’t allowed on the bar of the District of Columbia, where she wanted to practice…she took her bar exams and applied anyway.” Her story is an inspiration to all law students and attorneys.

 Another early Black female lawyer was Mary Ann Shad Cary. Mary Ann Shad Cary was a teacher, journalist, abolitionist, suffragist, and lawyer who grew up in a family dedicated to fighting for justice and against slavery. She dedicated her own life and career to those ends. Beyond being one of the first Black female attorneys in the United States, she was also the first black newspaperwoman in North America. According to a National Park Service website, “Cary was one of the most outspoken and articulate female proponents of the abolition of slavery of her day, and promoted equality for all people.”

The first Rhode Island Black female lawyer was Dorothy Crockett. Attorney Crockett passed the written portion of the bar examination in April, and the oral portion in May of 1932. When her application was approved, it was big news: the Boston Chronicle ran a front-page headline in the May 14, 1932 edition. The Chronicle noted that Crockett was “one of the few women of any race entitled to practice law in the state.” This week, RWU Law dedicated a classroom to Attorney Crockett. For more information on this historic event, see the RWU Law Will Dedicate Classroom to RI's First African-American Woman Lawyer.

Visit our book exhibit on Black American women attorneys and see our guide for more information on this topic.

Image Credit: Robin Kirk. Image can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/rightsatduke/4172757560.