Charlotte E. Ray (January 13, 1850 – January 4, 1911) was the first African-American woman lawyer in the United States. She was born in New York City to a family of six siblings. Their father was a Reverend, an Abolitionist, and a newspaper owner and publisher. Her sister, Henrietta Cordelia Ray, was a poet. Her poem “Lincoln” was read at the unveiling of the highly critical Emancipation Memorial statute. Charlotte E. Ray was born and raised in a family who valued education. Thus, they believed in activism and were determined to teach others and break barriers.
Ms. Ray attended the Institution for the Education of Colored Youth. After graduation, she taught at Howard University where she trained students to become elementary school teachers. Since the beginning, Howard University admitted men and women of all races. She registered for the Howard University School of Law program while teaching at Howard University. After graduating from the law program in 1872, she was admitted to the District of Columbia bar the same year. In addition, she was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia in 1872.
At that time, it is doubtful that any firm would hire a woman lawyer, much less a black woman lawyer into their firm. Charlotte E. Ray opened her business law practice focusing on corporate law in 1872. However, she did accept and take a case to the Supreme Court on behalf of a woman seeking divorce from an abusive husband. Unfortunately, Charlotte E. Ray could not sustain her practice, possibly due to racial and gender discrimination. As a result, she returned to New York City and became a school teacher in Brooklyn. According to the American Bar Association Lawyer Demographics Survey, white males still make up the majority of active attorneys in the country. What Ms. Ray accomplished in 1872 is an extraordinary feat, even to this day.