Charlotte E. Ray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlotte E. Ray
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| Born | January 13, 1850 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | January 4, 1911 (aged 60) Woodside, Long Island, U.S.
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| Other names | Charlotte E. Fraim |
| Alma mater | Howard University, University of the District of Columbia |
| Occupation | Attorney, Teacher |
| Movement | Colored Conventions Movement |
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Charlotte E. Ray was a truly inspiring American lawyer. She made history as the very first African-American woman to become a lawyer in the United States. Ray was also the first woman allowed to practice law in Washington, D.C. Her achievements paved the way for many other women who wanted to become lawyers. She graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1872.
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Her Early Life and Education
Charlotte Ray was born in New York City on January 13, 1850. Her parents were Charlotte Augusta Burroughs and Reverend Charles Bennett Ray. Reverend Ray was a very important leader in the movement to end slavery. He also edited a newspaper called The Colored American.
Education was very important to Charlotte's family. All of her six siblings, including her sisters Henrietta Cordelia and Florence, went to college. Charlotte attended a special school in Washington, D.C.. It was called the Institution for the Education of Colored Youth. She graduated from this school in 1869. This institution was one of the few places where a Black woman could get a good education at that time.
Becoming a Lawyer
After graduating, Charlotte became a teacher at Howard University. She taught in the University's Prep School. While teaching, she secretly enrolled in the Law Department. She used the name "C. E. Ray" to avoid drawing attention to the fact that she was a woman.
On February 27, 1872, Charlotte E. Ray made history. She completed her three-year program and became the first woman to graduate from the Howard University School of Law. Some stories say she received a special honor called Phi Beta Kappa. However, Howard University did not have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter until much later, in 1953.
During her law studies, Charlotte focused on corporate law. This area of law deals with the rules and regulations for businesses. She was known for her sharp mind and clear thinking. General O. O. Howard, the founder of Howard University, once spoke about a woman who gave an amazing presentation on corporate law. Many believe he was talking about Charlotte Ray.
Facing Challenges in Law
Charlotte was officially allowed to practice law in Washington, D.C., on March 2, 1872. She was also admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia on April 23, 1872. Her achievement was noted in the Woman's Journal. She then opened her own law office. She even advertised her services in a newspaper owned by the famous Frederick Douglass. Some sources suggest she hoped to specialize in real estate law. This type of law might involve fewer appearances in court.
However, Charlotte did appear in court. She was the first woman to argue a case in the District of Columbia Supreme Court. In 1875, she defended a woman who was seeking a divorce from her husband. The woman claimed her husband showed cruel behavior. Charlotte's arguments showed the difficult situation the woman was in.
Despite her talent and connections, Charlotte found it hard to keep her law practice going. Many people were unwilling to trust a Black woman with their legal cases. A lawyer from Wisconsin, Kate Kane Rossi, later said that Charlotte was very skilled. However, she couldn't get enough clients because of prejudice. Because of this, Charlotte had to close her law office after only a few years. She returned to teaching, working in the public school system in Brooklyn, New York.
Later Life and Legacy
Charlotte's sister, Henrietta Cordelia Ray, was a poet. At one point, all three Ray sisters were teachers. Charlotte was also involved in the National Woman Suffrage Association. This group worked for women's right to vote. After 1895, she became active in the National Association of Colored Women.
She married in the late 1880s and became Charlotte E. Fraim.
Charlotte moved to Woodside, Long Island, New York. She passed away on January 4, 1911, at the age of 60. She died from a severe case of bronchitis.
In March 2006, a law student group at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts, honored Charlotte Ray. They named their new chapter after her. This recognized her place as the first African-American female attorney. Charlotte E. Ray's courage and intelligence opened doors for many who followed.
See also
- Macon Bolling Allen is believed to be both the first black man licensed to practice law and to hold a judicial position in the United States.
- Jane Bolin was both the first black woman to graduate from Yale Law School and serve as a judge in the United States.
- Thurgood Marshall was the first black Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- George Lewis Ruffin was both the first black man to earn a degree from Harvard Law School and become Massachusetts first African American judge.
- List of first women lawyers and judges in the United States
- Black women in American law
