Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander (1898–1989) was a trailblazing African American economist, lawyer, and civil rights advocate. She broke multiple racial and gender barriers in the early 20th century.
Historic Achievements:
- First African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Economics (University of Pennsylvania, 1921)
- First Black woman to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School (1927)
- First Black woman admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar
Career & Advocacy:
- Practiced law and focused on civil rights, labor rights, and economic justice
- Served as an assistant city solicitor in Philadelphia
- Appointed by President Truman to the Committee on Civil Rights (1947), which laid the groundwork for later civil rights legislation
- Advocated for economic opportunities for Black Americans
She was a pioneer in both economics and law, advocating for racial and gender equality long before the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum.
