NBLSA Supports Efforts to Award Constance Baker Motley Congressional Gold Medal For Immediate Release: October 25, 2013 Washington, D.C. – Please join Professor Marilyn Ford of Quinnipiac University School of Law, U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, and a host of others around the country in supporting the effort to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Constance Baker Motley (1921-2005), posthumously, in appreciation of her distinguished achievements and contributions in civil rights. Appropriately described as a “legal giant,” Constance Baker Motley was, among other things, the first African-American female U.S. District Judge appointed in the United States. Motley was born in New Haven, Connecticut (to parents from the Caribbean island of Nevis) and graduated from NYU and Columbia Law School, before starting her tremendous legal career. She fought tirelessly alongside Thurgood Marshall and other leading civil rights lawyers at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) to dismantle segregation throughout the United States. She was a key member of the legal team that won the landmark desegregation case, Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954). Motley was also the only woman who argued desegregation cases in court during most of the Civil Rights Movement (1946-64). Judge Motley’s career on the bench was equally stellar. Following her appointment as a United States District Judge in 1966, she was elevated to the position of Chief Judge in the Southern District of New York in 1982. After assuming senior status in 1986, she continued serving on the Court with distinction for nearly two decades. She passed away on September 28, 2005. The Senate Bill to award the Medal to Motley (S. 1150) was introduced by Senator Blumenthal a couple of months ago. The companion bill (H.R. 3097) was introduced in the House on Thursday, September 12. The original co-sponsors of the House Bill are listed below: Rosa DeLauro Gregory Meeks Charles Rangel John Lewis Yvette Clarke Wm. Lacy Clay
Barbara Lee Sheila Jackson Lee Frederica Wilson Eddie Bernice Johnson Robin Kelly John Conyers
Elijah Cummings Hank Johnson Jerrold Nadler Melvin Watt Andre Carson Jan Schakowsky
The National Urban League, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), other civil rights organizations, and myriad fraternities, sororities, and social organizations are already on board. In fact, some of the national organizations are sending letters to EVERY member of the House and Senate. We have been told that without a clear showing of support – e.g. a barrage of letters sent to members of Congress – the bill is unlikely to garner enough votes to pass. Thus, we need your support. Show Congress that the members of the National Black Law Students Association, collectively and individually, demand that a “legal giant” be properly remembered. Time is of the essence. Please write a letter of support TODAY.