Jewel Lafontant facts for kids

Jewel Stradford Lafontant-Mankarious (born April 28, 1922 – died May 31, 1997) was a very important American lawyer and government official. She made history as the first African American woman to become a Deputy Solicitor General of the United States. This means she was a top lawyer who helped represent the U.S. government in court. She also worked for President George H. W. Bush and was a respected attorney in Chicago. President Richard Nixon even thought about nominating her to the highest court in the country, the Supreme Court of the United States.

Jewel's Early Life and Education

Jewel Carter Stradford was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her father, C. Francis Stradford, was a famous lawyer who helped start the National Bar Association. Jewel came from a family with interesting roots, including Yoruba (from Nigeria), Native American, and Scottish backgrounds.

She went to Oberlin College and earned a degree in political science in 1943. While there, she was very active! She was the captain of the volleyball team and joined many clubs, like the Musical Union and Forensic Union.

In 1943, Jewel started law school. She was the only African American woman in her class. In 1946, she made history again by becoming the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School.

Jewel's Amazing Career as a Lawyer

In 1947, Jewel became a licensed lawyer in Illinois. That same year, she started working as a trial lawyer for the Legal Aid Bureau of Chicago. This organization helps people who can't afford legal help.

In 1949, she started her own law firm in Chicago with her first husband, John W. Rogers Sr.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Jewel as an assistant U.S. attorney for Northern Illinois in 1955. This meant she worked for the government, helping to bring cases to court. She held this job until 1958.

Working in Politics

Jewel was also involved in politics. In 1960, she was a delegate at the Republican National Convention. She even gave a speech to support Richard Nixon's nomination for president!

In 1961, she started a new law firm with her father and second husband.

A big moment in her career happened in 1963 when she argued a case before the Supreme Court of the United States. Her case, Beatrice Lynumn v. The State of Illinois, was very important. It helped set a legal rule that later influenced the famous Miranda v. Arizona case in 1966. The Miranda case established that people must be told their rights when they are arrested.

Jewel also served on the boards of many large companies and non-profit groups. These included Jewel Companies, Trans World Airlines, Mobil Corporation, and Revlon. She also helped lead important organizations like the Illinois Humane Society and Howard University.

Working for President Nixon

In 1969, President Richard Nixon asked Jewel to serve as vice chairman of the U.S. Advisory Commission on International, Educational and Cultural Affairs. This group helped guide America's cultural exchange programs with other countries.

In 1972, Nixon appointed Jewel to represent the United States at the United Nations General Assembly. This was a big role where she helped share America's views with countries around the world.

In 1973, President Nixon gave Jewel an even bigger job: she became the first-ever female Deputy Solicitor General. In this role, she helped argue cases for the U.S. government in front of the Supreme Court. She left this position in 1975 to go back to practicing law in Chicago.

Working for President George H. W. Bush

From 1989 to 1993, Jewel held another very important government job under President George H. W. Bush. She was called the Ambassador-at-Large and the U.S. Coordinator for Refugee Affairs.

In this role, Jewel traveled all over the world. She helped decide how many refugees (people seeking safety from their home countries) should be allowed into the United States each year. She would then make a recommendation to President Bush. After President Bush's term ended, Jewel returned to Chicago and continued her law practice until she passed away.

Consideration for the Supreme Court

President Richard Nixon was very impressed with Jewel Lafontant. He even thought about nominating her to become a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. This is one of the highest honors a lawyer can receive. Nixon also considered her for a position on an appeals court, which is another high-level court.

Jewel's Personal Life

Jewel Stradford married John W. Rogers Sr. in 1946. He was a brave member of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. They had one son, John W. Rogers Jr., who grew up to be a successful investment executive. Jewel and John Sr. divorced in 1961.

Later that year, she married H. Ernest Lafontant, a Haitian-American attorney. They were married until his death in 1976. In 1989, she married Naguib Soby Mankarious, and they were together until her passing.

In 1983, Jewel received a special honor called the Candace Award for her outstanding service.

Death

Jewel Stradford Lafontant-Mankarious passed away at her home in Chicago on May 31, 1997, at the age of 75. She died from breast cancer.

See also

• Richard Nixon judicial appointment controversies