Mercedes Deiz facts for kids
Mercedes Deiz (born December 13, 1917 – died October 5, 2005) was an amazing American lawyer. She made history in Oregon by becoming the first black woman to practice law there. She was also the first black woman to serve as a district court judge and the first to be elected as a county circuit court judge. Her life showed how important it is to work hard and break barriers.
Early Life and Education
Mercedes Francis Lopez was born in New York City in 1917. She was the oldest of ten children. Her parents were from Czechoslovakia and Cuba. Mercedes grew up in a family that didn't have much money. She said her parents encouraged her to spend time at the library and visit city museums. This helped her learn a lot. Her father especially wanted each of his children to be unique and do their best.
Mercedes finished high school when she was 16. She worked many jobs, like being a maid, a theater usher, a switchboard operator, and a ticket clerk. She also went to Hunter College in New York City.
In 1948, she moved to Portland, Oregon. She worked as a legal assistant during the day. At night, she studied law at the Northwestern School of Law. Before law school, she was active in groups like the Urban League and the NAACP. She joined these groups because she had experienced unfair treatment from some employers.
Breaking Barriers in Law
Mercedes Deiz became a lawyer in Oregon in 1960. She was the first black woman to achieve this honor. Some people thought another woman, Beatrice Morrow Cannady, was first. However, Cannady never passed the bar exam to become a lawyer.
Mercedes Deiz worked as a litigator, which means she argued cases in court. She also worked as a judge for disputes about worker's compensation. These are cases where people get hurt at work.
In 1969, Governor Tom McCall appointed her as a district court judge. This made her the first black female district court judge in Oregon. Then, in 1972, she made history again. She was elected as a County Circuit Court judge in Oregon. She won against seven other male candidates. This was a huge step forward for women and minorities in the legal field.
A Lifetime of Helping Others
Mercedes Deiz was known for her dedication and for helping other lawyers. In 1993, a group called Oregon Women Lawyers started the Judge Mercedes Deiz Award. This award honors someone who has done a lot to help minorities in the legal profession and the community.
When she passed away in 2005, many people praised her. They remembered her life of dedicated public service and her amazing ability to guide young lawyers. It was said that almost every African-American lawyer who started practicing between 1970 and 1992 got help from Judge Deiz. She would spend hours tutoring them on how to build their careers.
In 2007, the Oregon Legislative Assembly honored Judge Deiz after her death. They passed a special resolution to recognize her important contributions.
See also
- List of African-American jurists
- List of first women lawyers and judges in Oregon
