Unique Display Features Leaders in Law

By Kelly Lynn Anders

Who were the first African-Americans to serve as a member of the California Legislature or as dean of a law school? Who was the first to become as a United States Supreme Court Justice? Chances are, you knew the answer to the third question-Thurgood Marshall-but drew a blank on the other two. And you wouldn't be alone. The answers are Frederick M. Roberts and Charles Hamilton Houston, respectively, and they are among the many unsung heroes and heroines who were featured in a unique Black History Month display last month in the Gordon D. Schaber Law Library at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Entitled "Celebrating African-American Leaders in Law," the display was divided into three areas in which African-Americans have greatly impacted law outside of the practice of law. The "In the Classroom" section featured African-Americans who have served as faculty members or deans of law schools. "Under the Dome" showcased California and federal lawmakers, while "On the Bench" focused on historical California and federal judges and justices. Limited resources on these topics are available in print or on the web, and no similar compilations on all three topics were discovered from which to borrow, so the display gradually evolved into the one-of-a-kind result of a two-month treasure hunt.

Among the findings:

Frederick M. Roberts, a Republican from Los Angeles, was elected to the California Assembly in 1918. The eloquent Charles Hamilton Houston, the first black editor of the Harvard Law Review and a mentor to Thurgood Marshall, was also the first to hold the post of dean of an ABA-accredited law school, serving in that capacity at Howard University School of Law from 1930 to 1935.\With his appointment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on July 22, 1950, Judge William Henry Hastie became the first African-American appointed as a federal circuit judge. He was appointed by President Harry S. Truman. Prior to his judicial appointment, Hastie succeeded Charles Hamilton Houston as Dean of Howard Law School.

Appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on January 25, 1966, Judge Constance Baker Motley became the first African-American woman appointed to the federal judiciary. When Judge Motley became Chief Judge on June 1, 1982, she was the first woman and the first African-American woman to serve as such for the Southern District of New York, the largest federal trial bench in the country.

The first African-American member of Congress was Hiram Rhodes Revels (R-MS), who served in the Senate in the 41st Congress (1870). The first African-American member of the House was Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC), who also served in the 41st Congress.

The late Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), elected to the 91st through 97th sessions (1969- 1983), was the first black woman in Congress and the first to run for President. The first black woman to run for Vice President of the United States, Charlotta Bass, did so on the Progressive Party ticket in 1952. Bass was also the longtime editor and publisher of The California Eagle, one of the oldest African-American newspapers on the West Coast.

Born in 1874, Lutie Lytle worked as a teacher while studying law at Central Tennessee College. She earned her degree in 1897. A year later Lytle became a member of the faculty in the law department, teaching law of domestic relations, evidence, real property, crimes, and criminal procedure. According to the Kansas Historical Society, she was reportedly the only woman law instructor in the world at that time.

Kelly Lynn Anders, JD, is a Reference Librarian at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

May / June 2005