Constance Baker Motley, a pioneer and trailblazer in the legal professions, broke down barriers, overcame gender constraints, and operated outside the boundaries placed on black women by society and the civil rights movement.

Gary L. Ford, Jr., Assistant Professor in Lehman’s Africana Studies Department, explores the key role Motley played in the legal fight to desegregate public schools, colleges, universities, housing, transportation, parks, and other public accommodations.