Constance Baker Motley was a trailblazing African American lawyer, judge, and civil rights activist. Born in 1921 in New Haven, Connecticut, Motley was a key figure in the civil rights movement and played a significant role in breaking down racial and gender barriers in the legal field. She was the first African American woman to argue a case before the US Supreme Court and the first to serve as a federal judge.

Motley was also a prominent figure in the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, working alongside Thurgood Marshall and other civil rights lawyers on landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education. She played a crucial role in advancing civil rights and fighting against segregation and racial discrimination in the United States.

In addition to her work as a lawyer, Motley served as a New York State Senator and later as a federal judge, becoming the first African American woman to be appointed to the federal judiciary. Throughout her career, she remained a steadfast advocate for equality and justice, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the fight for civil rights.