Constance Baker Motley was a pioneering African American attorney and civil rights activist whose legal career was marked by groundbreaking achievements in the fight for racial equality. As a lawyer for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Motley was instrumental in numerous important cases that challenged segregation and discrimination. Notably, she served as the lead attorney in Davis v. School District of the City of York, a case that desegregated the schools in York, Pennsylvania. Throughout her career, she worked on more than 300 cases, including several major school desegregation suits, and her legal prowess was key to dismantling institutionalized racism in the U.S. She was also the first African American woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, further cementing her place in history as a trailblazer for both women and African Americans in law.
In addition to her remarkable achievements as an attorney, Constance Baker Motley’s legacy extended to her role as a public servant. In 1966, she became the first African American woman appointed to the federal judiciary when President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated her to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Her tenure as a judge was characterized by her commitment to civil rights, as she continued to rule in ways that promoted fairness and equality. Throughout her career, Motley was a steadfast advocate for justice, using her position and legal expertise to challenge the status quo and fight for a more just and equitable society. Her pioneering work broke barriers and remains an inspiration to future generations of lawyers and activists.