Constance Baker Motley

Hello, my name is Constance Baker Motley, and I'd like to share my story with you. I was born on September 14th, 1921, in New Haven, Connecticut, to parents who were hardworking immigrants from the Caribbean island of Nevis. In a busy household, I was the ninth of twelve children. From a young age, I was an avid reader of history, and I was deeply inspired by leaders like Abraham Lincoln who fought for freedom. As I looked at the world around me, I noticed that it was not always a fair place, especially for Black people who faced unjust rules and limitations. It was during my teenage years that I found my calling. I decided I would become a lawyer so I could use the power of the law to fight against injustice and be a voice for my community. The path wasn't clear, as my family did not have the money to send me to college, but I held onto my dream with determination.

My life changed one evening in 1939. I was 18 years old and had been invited to give a speech at a local community center. I spoke from the heart about the urgent need for equality and the importance of creating a just society for everyone. In the audience that night sat a generous and wealthy businessman named Clarence W. Blakeslee. He was so moved by my passion and conviction that after my speech, he approached me with an astonishing offer: he wanted to pay for my entire education. I was filled with gratitude and excitement. Thanks to his kindness, I was able to attend Fisk University and later, Columbia Law School in New York City. The studies were demanding, but I knew this was my opportunity to forge the tools I would need for the battles ahead. In 1946, I achieved my first major goal and graduated with my law degree, ready to begin my life's work.

Even before I officially graduated, I began my career in 1945 by joining the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. There, I had the incredible privilege of working alongside Thurgood Marshall, a brilliant lawyer who would later become the first Black justice on the Supreme Court. Our mission was to legally challenge segregation—the system of laws and practices that kept Black and white people separated in schools, on buses, and in public places. One of my most important tasks was helping to write the original legal complaint for the landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education. Our hard work paid off when, in 1954, the Supreme Court declared that racially segregated schools were unconstitutional. My work often required great courage, as I frequently traveled to the Deep South to represent brave civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ensuring their rights were defended in court.

My journey as a lawyer eventually led me to the highest court in the United States, the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1961, I made history as the first African American woman to ever argue a case before the justices. Standing there was a little nerve-wracking, but I felt the weight of history on my shoulders and spoke with confidence, knowing that I was fighting for fundamental fairness. Over the course of my career, I would argue a total of ten cases before the Supreme Court, and I was proud to win nine of them. One of the most significant of these victories came in 1962. I represented a courageous young man named James Meredith, who sought to break down racial barriers by enrolling at the all-white University of Mississippi. Despite intense and often violent opposition, we used the power of federal law to ensure he could register and attend, opening the door for many others to follow.

After many years of arguing against unfair laws in the courtroom, I decided I wanted to be in a position to help create fair laws. My career took a new direction in 1964 when I was elected to the New York State Senate, becoming the first African American woman to ever hold that office. Just one year later, in 1965, I achieved another first when I was chosen as the President of the Borough of Manhattan, making me the first woman to hold that powerful city-wide position. However, my most historic appointment came in 1966. President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated me to be a federal judge for the Southern District of New York. When I was confirmed, I became the very first African American woman to serve as a federal judge in the nation's history. I was honored to break down these barriers and prove that women of color belong in the highest positions of leadership.

I served as a federal judge for the remainder of my career, always striving to make decisions that promoted justice and equality under the law. I lived a full and busy life and was 84 years old when my time came to an end. Today, I hope I am remembered not just for the many 'firsts' I achieved, but as a person who dedicated her life to using the law as a tool to open doors of opportunity that had been closed to others. My story shows that no matter where you start in life, with determination and a belief in justice, you can make a lasting difference in the world.