Honorable Constance Baker Motley

1980 Solomon Carter Fuller Award Recipient

Lecture Title: The Rights of Prisoners and Patients

The Honorable Motley was a prominent American jurist and politician, renowned for her pivotal role in the civil rights movement. Prior to her tenure as a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, she held esteemed positions, including state senator and Borough President of Manhattan in New York City. Following her graduation from law school, she joined the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund as a staff attorney, where she dedicated over two decades to advancing civil rights.

Throughout her illustrious career, Motley achieved numerous milestones. Notably, she became the first Black woman to argue before the Supreme Court, successfully litigating 10 landmark civil rights cases, with nine resulting in victories. Serving as a law clerk to Thurgood Marshall, she provided crucial support in the groundbreaking case of Brown v. Board of Education. Furthermore, Motley made history as the first African American woman appointed to the federal judiciary, assuming the role of a United States district judge for the Southern District of New York.

In 1965, Motley was elected President of the Borough of Manhattan, making her the first woman to hold this prestigious office. During her tenure, she authored a comprehensive revitalization plan for Harlem and East Harlem, advocating for substantial funding to enhance these and other underserved areas of the city. In recognition of her exceptional contributions, she was honored with the APA's Solomon Carter Fuller Award in 1980.