Constance Slaughter-Harvey facts for kids
Constance Iona Slaughter-Harvey was born in 1946. She is an American lawyer and judge. In 1976, she made history by becoming the first Black female judge in Mississippi.
Her Early Life and Education
Constance Slaughter-Harvey was born in Forest, Mississippi. She went to Hawkins High School and was a top student. She graduated as valedictorian in 1963, meaning she was the best student in her class!
She then attended Tougaloo College. There, she earned a degree in political science and economics. She graduated with high honors, called cum laude. While in college, she met Medgar Evers, a very important civil rights leader. When he was sadly killed in 1963, it inspired Constance. She decided to study law to fight for justice.
In 1970, she graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law. She was the first African-American woman to earn a law degree from that university.
Her Important Career
When she was just 24 years old, Constance Slaughter-Harvey helped make a big change. She played a key role in allowing Black people to join the Mississippi State Highway Patrol. This important step helped other states across the nation do the same.
After getting her law degree in 1970, Slaughter-Harvey took legal action against the state of Mississippi. She argued that the state was unfairly treating people based on their race. Because of her efforts, Mississippi added its first three Black state troopers. Walter Crosby, Lewis Younger, and R. O. Williams were the first African-Americans to wear the Mississippi Highway Safety patrol uniform.
Constance Slaughter-Harvey knew that the Highway Patrol had been used to support unfair practices against Black people. She used her law degree to change this. Her hard work in Mississippi opened doors for Black men to become state troopers all over the United States. She was so busy with this important lawsuit that she even missed her own law school graduation ceremony!
In 1976, Constance Slaughter-Harvey was chosen to be a judge for Scott County. This made her the first Black female judge in the state of Mississippi. She also served on a special committee for the Governor. Later, she worked as a commissioner for President Jimmy Carter.
Personal Life
Constance Slaughter-Harvey is a member of the Catholic faith.
See also
- List of first women lawyers and judges in Mississippi
