New York, New York (January 13, 1850 – January 4, 1922) age 61 yrs

Charlotte E. Ray was a women’s rights activist, civil rights activist, lawyer, and teacher. She was the first Black woman to graduate from the Howard University Law Department in 1872. She was the first woman admitted to the District of Columbia Bar. She was also the first woman admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Ray opened a law office in Washington, D. C., but racial prejudices proved too strong, and she did not obtain enough legal business to keep an active practice.