Charlotte E. Ray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlotte E. Ray
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| Born | January 13, 1850 |
| Died | January 4, 1911 (aged 60) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Charlotte E. Fraim |
| Alma mater | Howard University, University of the District of Columbia |
| Occupation | Attorney, Teacher |
| Movement | Colored Conventions Movement |
| Parent(s) | Charlotte Augusta Burroughs and Reverend Charles Bennett Ray |
Charlotte E. Ray (born January 13, 1850 – died January 4, 1911) was a pioneering American lawyer. She made history as the first black American woman to become a lawyer in the United States.
Charlotte Ray graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1872. She was also the first woman allowed to practice law in Washington, D.C.. Her achievement helped other women in different states who wanted to become lawyers.
She bravely opened her own law office. She even advertised in a newspaper owned by Frederick Douglass. However, she practiced law for only a few years. It was very hard for a black woman to succeed in law at that time. People often showed prejudice against black people and women.
Because of these challenges, Charlotte became a teacher in Brooklyn, New York. She also worked to help women gain the right to vote. She joined the National Association of Colored Women. This group worked for the rights of black women.
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Charlotte's Early Life
Charlotte Ray was born in New York City. Her parents were Charlotte Augusta Burroughs and Reverend Charles Bennett Ray. Her father, Reverend Ray, was a very important person. He fought against slavery as an abolitionist. He also edited a newspaper called The Colored American.
Charlotte had six brothers and sisters. Education was very important to her father. He made sure all his daughters went to college. Charlotte attended a school in Washington, D.C.. It was called the Institution for the Education of Colored Youth. Today, it is known as the University of the District of Columbia. She graduated from there in 1869. This school was one of the few places where black women could get a good education.
After graduating, Charlotte became a teacher. She taught at Howard University in their prep school department. While teaching, she also enrolled in the Law Department. She signed up as C. E. Ray.
Charlotte Ray finished her law degree on February 27, 1872. She completed a three-year program. She was the first woman to graduate from the Howard University School of Law.
Starting Her Own Law Practice
Charlotte Ray was officially allowed to practice law in Washington, D.C., on March 2, 1872. She could practice in the highest court there by April 23, 1872. Her achievement was even mentioned in a newspaper called the Woman's Journal. She was recognized as one of the "Women of the Century."
In 1872, Charlotte started her own law office. She focused on business law. She advertised in newspapers like the New National Era and Citizen. This paper was owned by Frederick Douglass. Some people think she wanted to specialize in real estate law. This type of law might involve fewer court appearances.
However, Charlotte did argue cases in court. She was the first woman to practice and argue in the District of Columbia Supreme Court. People said Charlotte Ray was a great speaker. They described her as authoritative and "one of the best lawyers on corporations in the country."
Despite her excellent legal skills, she found it hard to get enough clients. Many people were not willing to trust a black woman with their legal cases. Because of this, she could not make enough money to support herself as a lawyer. So, she decided to return to teaching. She worked in the school system in Brooklyn.
Charlotte's Personal Life
Charlotte's sister, Henrietta Cordelia Ray, was a poet. At one point, all three Ray sisters were teachers. Charlotte stopped teaching for a while to practice law. Henrietta Cordelia also stopped teaching to earn her master's degree and write poetry.
In 1876, Charlotte attended a big meeting in New York. It was for the National Woman Suffrage Association. This group worked for women's right to vote. After 1895, Charlotte was very active in the National Association of Colored Women.
She got married in the late 1880s. After marrying, her name became Charlotte E. Fraim.
In 1897, she moved to Woodside, Long Island. She passed away there on January 4, 1911. She was 60 years old and died from a severe case of bronchitis.
Honoring Charlotte Ray
In March 2006, a law student group at Northeastern University School of Law decided to honor Charlotte Ray. They named their new chapter after her. This was to recognize her as the first African-American woman attorney.
See also
- Macon Bolling Allen was likely the first black man to be a lawyer and a judge in the United States.
- Jane Bolin was the first black woman to graduate from Yale Law School and become a judge in the United States.
- Thurgood Marshall was the first black Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
- George Lewis Ruffin was the first black man to get a degree from Harvard Law School. He also became Massachusetts' first African American judge.
- List of first women lawyers and judges in the United States
