Jessie Pharr Slaton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jessie Pharr Slaton
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| Born | March 27, 1908 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
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| Died | September 1, 1983 (aged 75) near Sakhalin Island, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
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| Alma mater | Wayne State University University of Detroit Law School |
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Jessie Pharr Slaton (1908-1983) was an important American lawyer. She made history in many ways. She was honored in the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. This happened shortly after she passed away in a plane crash.
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Jessie Pharr Slaton's Life and Work
Early Life and Moving to Detroit
Jessie Pharr Slaton was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1908. When she was 10 years old, her family moved to Detroit, Michigan. This city would become her home for most of her life.
In 1933, Jessie got her first job in Detroit. She worked as a secretary at the Detroit City Hall. This was a big step. It made her one of the first African-American people to hold a "white-collar job" in Detroit's government. A white-collar job usually means office work, not manual labor.
Becoming a Lawyer and Helping Others
When World War II began, Jessie left her job. She decided to go to college. She studied at Wayne State University. After graduating, she became a special education teacher. She worked in the Detroit Public Schools system. She was very involved in helping black men and women in her community.
In 1942, Jessie decided to study law. This happened after a disagreement about a housing project called Sojourner Truth. She wanted to help people through the legal system. After nine years of hard work, she graduated from the University of Detroit Law School. She then became a lawyer for the City of Detroit.
Breaking Barriers as a Judge
Jessie Pharr Slaton continued to break barriers. In 1972, she was appointed as the first woman to be a referee. This was in the Recorder's Court Traffic and Ordinance Division. This court handled traffic tickets and city rules.
Six years later, in 1978, she became a Common Pleas Judge. This type of judge handles smaller legal cases. She eventually retired from this role. Even after retiring, she kept working to help others. She led the State Crime Victims Compensation Board. This board helps people who have been hurt by crimes. She worked in similar roles until her final years.
Her Final Journey
On September 1, 1983, Jessie Pharr Slaton was traveling with six friends. They were going on a two-week trip to the Far East. They were flying on Korean Air Lines Flight 007 to Seoul, South Korea. Sadly, the plane went off its path. It flew into an area where planes were not allowed. The aircraft was shot down, and everyone on board passed away.
Jessie Pharr Slaton's remains were never found. A special monument, called a cenotaph, honors her. It is placed next to her husband's grave. Her husband, George Henri, passed away in 1975. The monument is at Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit.
