Constance Baker Motley

Constance Baker Motley (14 September 1921–28 September 2005) was an African American civil rights activist, lawyer, judge, and state senator.

Related Topics:
14 September - 1921 - 28 September - 2005 - African American - Civil rights - Lawyer - Judge

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She was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Motley graduated from New York University in 1943, then received her law degree from Columbia Law School in 1946. Her legal career began as a law clerk in the fledgling NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), where she worked with Thurgood Marshall, Jack Greenberg, and others. She became Associate Counsel to the LDF, assisting in the case of Brown v. Board of Education and arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of James Meredith's successful attempt to attend the University of Mississippi. Motley was successful in nine of the ten cases she argued before the Supreme Court, and was otherwise a key legal strategist in the civil rights movement, helping to desegregate Southern schools, buses, and lunch counters.

Related Topics:
New Haven - Connecticut - New York University - 1943 - Columbia Law School - 1946 - NAACP - Legal Defense and Educational Fund - Thurgood Marshall - Jack Greenberg - Brown v. Board of Education - U.S. Supreme Court - James Meredith - University of Mississippi - Southern

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In 1964, Motley became the first African American woman elected to the New York State Senate. In 1965, she was chosen Manhattan Borough President—the first woman and first African American in that position. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson named her a federal court judge—the first African American woman so named—where she continued (including a term as chief judge) until her death. At the time of her death, she was a district judge for the United States District Court Southern District of New York.

Related Topics:
1964 - African American - New York State Senate - 1965 - Manhattan - Borough - 1966 - Lyndon Johnson - Federal court - United States District Court - Southern District of New York

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In 1993, she was inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame. In 2001, President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Citizens Medal.

Related Topics:
1993 - National Women's Hall of Fame - 2001 - Bill Clinton - Presidential Citizens Medal

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Motley died of congestive heart failure at NYU Downtown Hospital in New York City.

Related Topics:
Congestive heart failure - NYU Downtown Hospital - New York City

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