2 Equals 12

2 Equals 12

Topic: Constance Baker Motley

Constance Baker Motley was a pioneering figure in the Civil Rights Movement and an accomplished lawyer and judge. She was the first African American woman to serve as a federal judge, and she played a significant role in the legal battles that helped dismantle segregation and advance civil rights in the United States.

Motley worked closely with Thurgood Marshall at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, where she litigated cases challenging segregation and discrimination. She was a key strategist in landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, which ended legal segregation in public schools.

In 1964, Motley became the first African American woman to be elected to the New York State Senate. She later served as a federal judge in the Southern District of New York, where she continued to champion civil rights and equality under the law.

Constance Baker Motley's contributions to the legal and civil rights landscape of the United States have left a lasting impact and paved the way for future generations of African American lawyers and judges.