DeLauro, Community Leaders Honor Judge Constance Baker Motley
From Left to Right: Executive Director of the Yale Women's Campaign School Patti Russo, Assistant Professor of African American History at CUNY Lehman College Gary L. Ford, Jr., Greater New Haven NAACP President Dori Dumas, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, and City of New Haven Ward 22 Alder Jeanette Morrison
NEW HAVEN, CT — On Tuesday, February 22, at the Dixwell Community House (Q House), House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) joined City of New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, City of New Haven Ward 22 Alder Jeanette Morrison, Greater New Haven NAACP President Dori Dumas, and Assistant Professor of African American History at CUNY Lehman College Gary L. Ford, Jr. to honor the life and legacy of civil rights pioneer, Judge Constance Baker Motley.
"This legislation honors the life of civil rights pioneer and New Haven's own, Judge Constance Baker Motley by posthumously awarding her with a Congressional Gold Medal – the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions that Congress can bestow on an individual," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. "Constance Baker Motley was a pioneer for Civil Rights in this nation and deeply immersed herself in the Black freedom struggle. Constance Baker Motley was a woman of many firsts. Not only was she one of the first Black women to attend Columbia University School of Law, but she was also the first Black woman to argue in front of the United States Supreme Court and was the only woman attorney on the legal team that won the Brown v. Board of Education, filing the original complaint in this landmark desegregation case. I can think of no one more deserving for such an honor than Constance Baker Motley."
"The honorable Constance Baker Motley is true NAACP and Civil Rights Legend and Icon. She is an American history maker and a legal pioneer," said Greater New Haven NAACP President Dori Dumas. "Her rich history and impact as a Warrior for Justice is beyond worthy and deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal. It is past time; however, the time is always right to do what is right. The Greater New Haven NAACP is strongly encouraging the passing of Constance Baker Motley Act of 2022, it is indeed a most fitting distinction."
"At a time when there were few women in the legal profession, let alone women of color, Constance Baker Motley was already making a name for herself," said City of New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. "Throughout her career, Constance Baker Motley seemed to be on the leading edge of history - blazing a trail as first black woman accepted to Columbia law school, the first female lawyer at the NAACP, and the first black woman to be appointed a federal judge. Motley's groundbreaking, however, did not stop there. As a lawyer she worked with civil rights icons such as Thurgood Marshall, and represented the jailed Freedom Riders and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. While working as a law clerk for Marshal, Motley wrote legal briefs for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education school desegregation case before the Supreme Court. Later, she was the first female Manhattan Borough President. Constance Baker Motley's recognition as the trailblazer that she truly was is long overdue and I am thrilled to be a part of Congresswoman DeLauro's effort to have her honored by Congress for her many contributions."
"It is my honor to share the same geographical footprint of Dixwell Avenue as Judge Baker-Motley," said City of New Haven Ward 22 Alder Jeanette Morrison. "To know that the same concepts of determination, accountability, love and family continue to be the driving forces that live through the Q House as it did 100 years ago are values that as the Q House Advisory Board Chairman that I will continue to use as an official blueprint for the direction of the Q!! Judge Baker-Motley's legacy and spirit will continue to be seen through all the hundreds of children who come through the doors of the Q as in the 1920s and beyond!"
"Constance Baker Motley, the only woman attorney at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund during most of the Civil Rights Movement, argued and won some of the most important desegregation cases," said Assistant Professor of African American History at CUNY Lehman College Gary L. Ford, Jr. "The winning of those cases was an integral part of the Movement. In fact, much of the work to desegregate public schools, as well as colleges, universities, housing, transportation, lunch counters, museums, libraries, parks, and other public accommodations, was performed by her. She tried and won cases to end legalized segregation and vestiges of racial discrimination in America when neither the federal nor state governments would do so. She fought for dignity and equality under the law for all people. She was trial or appellate counsel in fifty-seven cases in the United States Supreme Court, eighty-two cases in federal courts of appeals, forty-eight cases in federal district courts, and numerous cases in state courts. She transitioned to political life and then to the judiciary and became the first Black woman federal court judge. It would stand to reason that she would have already received a Congressional Gold Medal. However, that is simply not the case. Many of her famous clients have received the Congressional Gold Medal. It is time to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Constance Baker Motley, posthumously."
"Thank you for the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Baker-Huggins Family to all those who have worked so diligently to recognize Constance Baker Motley with a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal," said Constance L. Royster. "I regret that I am out-of-town and unable to be present in person but on behalf of the family I want to publicly thank specifically the bill's sponsors, which include our own Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, host of today's press conference, who, when asked to carry this torch on behalf of a native of her district, did not hesitate. I also want to thank the other co-sponsors and supporters: New York Senator Chuck Schumer, and the Congressional Black Caucus. Professor Gary Ford, author of Constance Baker Motley: One Woman's Fight for Civil Rights and Equal Justice Under Law has been the prime and constant force behind this effort and the family is indebted to him. We are thrilled that this Congressional Gold Medal press conference is taking place in Judge Motley's hometown. She was born here, educated in New Haven public schools, and attended St. Luke's Church. The Q House was central to her life. This announcement and press conference is a continuation of the centennial anniversary of Judge Motley's birth. It is past time for New Haven and the nation to recognize Judge Motley as the Civil Rights Queen, which is the title of a new book about her life by Professor Tomiko Brown Nagin. Today we celebrate a step in the process with the help of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. Please support Congresswoman DeLauro's efforts until the bill is finally signed and the Medal is awarded."
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro introduced the Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2022, legislation to recognize Judge Constance Baker Motley by posthumously awarding her a Congressional Gold Medal. Judge Motley would have celebrated her 100th birthday last year and, during the celebration of Black History Month, a Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting distinction to honor a woman who served as an exemplary model of leadership and perseverance throughout her life.