As Black women continue to raise the bar across industries, NOBEL Women stands in the chorus of celebration and sacred space of solidarity. We joyfully recognize the historic contributions of civil rights attorney and activist Elaine R. Jones. Her trailblazing leadership and staunch commitment to advocacy have made an indelible impact spanning generations and geographic boundaries.
Beyond the barriers
Attorney Elaine R. Jones was reared in Norfolk, Virginia under the Jim Crow laws that upheld and promoted racial segregation. Her mother was a college-educated teacher and her father was a Pullman porter, and member of the first Black trade union in the United States. While she was taught to be keenly aware of the reality of racism, her parents encouraged her to dream beyond its limitations.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard University in 1965 and immediately entered the Peace Corps to teach English. The two-year commitment led her to make history as the first African American to serve in Turkey. Once she returned to the U.S., she enrolled at the University of Virginia School of Law. There, she made history as the first African American to enroll and later to graduate from the school in 1970.
NAACP: Legal Defense Fund
Realizing her childhood dream, she immediately began a career with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The LDF is recognized as America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. It defends and advances the full dignity and citizenship of Black people in America. Within her first five years with the organization she led the notable Furman v. Georgia case, which led to the abolishment of the death penalty in 37 states. Her other notable cases dealt with employment discrimination, class actions, and led her to argue before the Supreme Court.
During a two-year hiatus from LDR, she served as the special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, William T. Coleman, Jr. There she drafted policy which led to the groundbreaking right for women to enlist in the United States Coast Guard.
Upon her return to LDR, she established the new role of legislative advocate for the organization’s Washington, D.C. office. Her reputation as a fierce litigator and strong negotiator were cemented during the following 14-year tenure with the organization.
Kemba
When the FBI presented an unfathomable case against Kemba Smith, a Hampton University student, Attorney Jones represented Ms. Smith. Although prosecutors noted that Ms. Smith did not sell, use, or distribute drugs, she was held to the over zealous standards of the war on drugs because of her boyfriend, the leader of a multi-million dollar drug operation. She was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal prison and was granted clemency by President Bill Clinton after serving 7 years. The resilient and deeply compassionate attorney is portrayed in the 2024 film Kemba.
Honors well earned
Attorney Jones has received numerous accolades for her contributions. The honors include thirteen honorary degrees; the Jefferson Medal of Freedom from the University of Virginia; and a host of legal and justice awards. In 2000, she received the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award presented by President Clinton.
Resources:
Elaine Jones (born 1944) – Legal Defense Fund; Wikipedia; History Makers