Anna Pauline "Pauli" Murray
- Born:
- November 20, 1910, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Died:
- July 1, 1985, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Civil Rights Activist, Feminist, Poet, Writer, Episcopal Priest
Early Life and Education
- Raised primarily by her aunt, Pauline Fitzgerald Dame, and her grandparents in Durham, North Carolina, after the death of her mother.
- Graduated from Hillside High School in Durham.
- Attended Hunter College in New York City, graduating in 1933.
- Denied admission to the University of North Carolina due to her race.
- Earned a law degree from Howard University in 1944, graduating first in her class.
- Received a Master of Laws degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1945.
- Obtained a Doctor of Juridical Science degree from Yale Law School in 1965.
Career and Major Achievements
- Participated in early sit-in protests against segregation.
- Worked as a staff attorney for the Workers Defense League.
- Challenged segregation on interstate buses in 1940.
- Authored "States' Laws on Race and Color" (1951), a comprehensive legal analysis of segregation laws.
- Served on the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women (1961-1963).
- Co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966.
- Taught at Brandeis University and was a visiting professor at Benedict College.
- Appointed a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Radcliffe College.
- In 1977, became the first African American woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest.
Notable Works
- "States' Laws on Race and Color" (1951)
- "Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family" (1956)
- "Dark Testament: And Other Poems" (1970)
- "Song in a Weary Throat: An American Pilgrimage" (1987, autobiography, posthumously published)
Legacy and Impact
Anna Pauline "Pauli" Murray was a multifaceted figure whose work significantly impacted the Civil Rights Movement and the women's rights movement. Through her legal scholarship, activism, and spiritual leadership, she challenged discrimination and championed equality. A deeper understanding of Pauli Murray bio reveals the breadth of her contributions to American society.