Breaking Barriers: Constance Baker Motley

Constance Baker Motley was a trailblazing activist, lawyer, judge, and state senator who broke racial and gender barriers. Growing up in Connecticut, she aspired to make a difference, becoming the second black woman to graduate from Columbia Law School. She worked with the NAACP, challenging segregation and advocating for civil rights. Motley was the first black woman to argue before the US Supreme Court, winning nine out of ten cases. Despite facing racism and sexism, she persevered, becoming the first African American woman elected to the New York State Senate and a US Federal judge, paving the way for diversity in the legal and political arenas.

What was one of Constance Baker Motley's early educational achievements?

• Second black woman to graduate from Columbia University School of Law

• First black woman to attend Harvard Law School

• First woman to graduate from Yale Law School

• First African American to attend Princeton University

Which organization did Constance Baker Motley work with during her legal career?

• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

• Human Rights Campaign

• American Civil Liberties Union

• Southern Poverty Law Center

What significant case did Constance Baker Motley contribute to that helped desegregate public schools?

• Miranda vs. Arizona

• Brown vs. Board of Education

• Roe vs. Wade

• Plessy vs. Ferguson

How many cases did Constance Baker Motley argue before the US Supreme Court, and how many did she win?

• Argued 12, won 10

• Argued 8, won 7

• Argued 10, won 9

• Argued 5, won 3

What political milestone did Constance Baker Motley achieve?

• First African American woman elected to the US Senate

• First African American woman elected to the New York State Senate

• First African American woman to become a state governor

• First African American woman to serve in the US House of Representatives