Claudeen Arthur facts for kids

Claudeen Bates Arthur (born Claudeen Rosenda Bates, 1942 – November 27, 2004) was a very important Native American lawyer. She made history as the first Navajo woman to become a licensed lawyer in the United States. She also became the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation.

Early Life and Education

Claudeen Rosenda Bates was born in 1942 in Ganado, Arizona. Her parents were Claude and Rose Bates. She grew up with two sisters, Alberta and Ernestine, and a brother, Lorenzo.

When she was young, Claudeen worked as a jockey on her family's ranch. The ranch was located in Upper Fruitland, New Mexico. She went to the Navajo Methodist Mission School. Later, she graduated from New Mexico State University. She earned a bachelor's degree in Biology.

Claudeen first worked as a science teacher. But she wanted to do more. So, she decided to study law. In 1974, she earned her law degree (a Juris Doctor) from Arizona State University.

A Groundbreaking Legal Career

After finishing law school in 1974, Claudeen Bates Arthur started her legal career. She worked for two years at Navajo Legal Services in New Mexico. She became one of the first two Navajo people to be licensed as a lawyer in the United States. She was also the very first Navajo woman to achieve this.

Her work was even featured in a 1977 National Geographic story. The article was called "The New Indians." It talked about how Native Americans were working to protect their land.

From 1978 to 1981, Claudeen worked for the United States Department of the Interior. She was a solicitor for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This meant she gave legal advice to the government about Native American issues.

In 1983, she was appointed Attorney General of the Navajo Nation. This was a very important job. She helped create and manage the Navajo Nation's Justice Department. She also gave legal advice to the Navajo Nation Council. She also advised the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

Leading the Navajo Nation Supreme Court

In October 2003, Claudeen Bates Arthur reached another major milestone. She was chosen to be the Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court. She was sworn in on November 24, 2003. This made her the third justice appointed to the court since it began in 1985. Most importantly, she was the first Navajo woman to hold this top judicial position.

After her passing in 2004, Lorene Ferguson became the Acting Chief Justice. Later, Herb Yazzie was confirmed as the new Chief Justice in 2005.

Personal Life

After graduating from New Mexico State University, Claudeen Bates married Harris Arthur. They had four children together. Their children were Lydele, Todd, Christopher, and Sonja.

Claudeen Bates Arthur passed away at age 62 on November 27, 2004. She died at a hospital in Fort Defiance, Arizona. She had been receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer.

See also

• List of first women lawyers and judges in the United States