Martha Gadley was married to a violent alcoholic. One night, he chopped a hole in the floor with an ax and threatened to push her in. Gadley decided to file for divorce—a daring move for an illiterate Black woman in 1875. At that time, the law did not adequately address domestic violence and the court dismissed her petition.  

Gadley did not stop. Taking her divorce to a higher court, she found an attorney, Charlotte E. Ray. Ray was one of just a few women who practiced law in the United States then and is also thought to be the country’s first Black, woman attorney. Ray took Martha’s case to the District of Columbia Supreme Court and won.  

Ray’s victory and career is impressive for several reasons. During the 19th century, white men controlled the legal profession, keeping women and people of color from studying or practicing law. Few women had access to a university education and many law schools did not admit women. Women were also largely barred from obtaining licenses and from joining legal professional associations.   

Ray’s father, Charles Bennett Ray, was a prominent abolitionist and clergyman. He enrolled Ray in the Institution for the Education of Colored Youth—one of the only schools that admitted Black women at the time. Ray later became the first Black woman legal graduate from Howard University and was admitted to the bar of the District Columbia (although how she was admitted is disputed by historians). Despite her legal career ending quickly due to prejudice, she went on to teach and was a vocal supporter of women’s suffrage and equality.  

Our history is littered with pioneers for justice who fought against all odds to break barriers, which we all benefit from today. I encourage everyone to learn about these stories and also to celebrate phenomenal women in our community.