Jane Bolin was a trailblazing African American lawyer and judge who made history as the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School and the first Black female judge in the United States. Born on April 11, 1908, in Poughkeepsie, New York, Bolin grew up in a prominent African American family involved in civil rights activism.

After graduating from Yale Law School in 1931, Bolin faced discrimination and barriers due to her race and gender, but she persisted and eventually made history in 1939 when she was appointed as a judge in the Domestic Relations Court in New York City. She served on the bench for over four decades, advocating for fair treatment and justice for children and families in the court system.

Throughout her career, Jane Bolin was a vocal advocate for racial and gender equality, breaking down barriers for future generations of Black women in the legal profession. She fought against segregation and discrimination, paving the way for greater diversity and representation in the judiciary.

Jane Bolin's legacy as a pioneering Black female judge and civil rights trailblazer continues to inspire and empower generations of African American women in the legal field and beyond.