Dovey Johnson Roundtree

Dovey Johnson Roundtree (1914–2018) was a pioneering civil rights attorney, ordained minister, and lifelong activist who broke significant barriers as one of the first Black women to practice law in the United States. Born in North Carolina, she earned her law degree from Howard University School of Law in 1950, when very few African American women entered the legal profession. Roundtree dedicated her career to defending civil rights and fighting for justice, taking on cases that addressed racial discrimination and inequality. Beyond her legal work, she was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church, becoming the oldest woman at that time to be ordained to the priesthood. Her dual vocations in law and ministry reflected her deep commitment to serving justice both in courtrooms and in spiritual leadership. She founded the Roundtree-Carter-Nobles Law Firm and continued to mentor younger lawyers and activists. Roundtree's memoir, "Justice, Justice: A Life of Advocacy and Healing," provided important testimony to the civil rights era. She remained active in advocacy work throughout her long life, which extended to age 104, making her a living bridge between the civil rights movement and contemporary activism.