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Constance Baker Motley - A Pioneer

By Bryson.smith

  • Birth

    Birth
    Constance Baker was born in New Haven, Connecticut. She was born to parents who were emigrants from the island of Nevis in the Wes Indies and had twelve other siblings!

  • Early Life

    Early Life
    Growing up, Constance went to new integrated public schools. She was an avid reader and mostly enjoyed books about Civil Rights heroes. At the age of 15, she decided she wanted to become a lawyer. Interested in reading Civil Rights books like Constance: https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/civil-rights-teaching/classroom/

  • Young Adult Life

    Young Adult Life
    She put her dream of becoming a lawyer on hold, and since her family did not have a lot of money, she went to work as a maid, and then with the National Youth Administration (NYA). However, when she gave a speech at a community center, Clarence Blakeslee, a contractor, was in attendance and was greatly impressed offering to pay for her college.

  • Enjoying and Embracing Education

    Enjoying and Embracing Education
    Constance experienced fantastic education. She began college at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennesee in the year 1941. She then moved to New York University in 1943. She earned a degree in economics. Next, in 1944, Constance became the first black woman to be accepted into Columbia Law School! She met Thurgood Marshall who helped her gain a job with the NAACP while she continued to get her law degree. She earned her degree in 1946, got married, and continued to work for the NAACP.

  • Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement

    Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement
    Early in her career working with the NAACP, she was able to play a major role in the Brown vs. Board of Education case. She was the first black woman to argue a case before the United States Supreme Court. Judge Motley also helped to desegregate railroads and local buses in Jackson, Mississippi during this time.

  • Leading

    Leading
    Constance continued to fight for integration during the Civil Rights Movement. She worked to lead the council in getting James Meredith into the University of Mississippi in 1962. She also defended protestors who were arrested during the Freedom Rides. Overall, Judge Motley won 9 out of 10 cases argued in front of the Supreme Court from 1961-1963!

  • Entering Politics

    Entering Politics
    It is becoming a trend that we see Constance becoming the "first" African American Woman to take higher positions. She was a pioneer and a hard worker. Here are some more of her firsts: Constance Baker Motley entered politics where she became the first woman to be elected into the New York State Senate in 1964. Then she became the first woman to be the Manhattan Borough President. Lastly, she was the first African American woman to hold a Federal Judgeship in the US District Court.

  • Death

    Death
    She kept her position in the US District Court until 1986. Judge Constance Baker Motley then passed away from heart issues in 2005. She had one child, Joel Wilson Motley. It was a sad close to a beautiful heartfelt life.

  • Her Legacy Lives On

    Her Legacy Lives On
    Constance Baker was a powerful woman. She had passion driving her to be a change seeker. She battled personal struggles and professional struggles throughout her lifetime. She fought for African Americans and women. There are around 70 awards and 8 degrees that honor her name in universities today.
    Links to explore:
    1.https://www.law.columbia.edu/news/archive/tribute-constance-baker-motley-46
    2.https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/constance-baker-motley-faces-down-racism/