Jane Matilda Bolin: First Black Woman Judge in U.S. History

Jane Matilda Bolin made legal history in 1939 when she became the first Black woman to serve as a judge in the United States, breaking barriers in a profession that had long excluded women and people of color from positions of judicial authority. Her appointment marked a significant milestone in American law and civil rights, setting an example of excellence and perseverance that would influence generations of lawyers and judges.

Bolin was born in 1908 in Poughkeepsie, New York, into a family that deeply valued education and public service. Her father, Gaius C. Bolin, was among the first Black graduates of Yale Law School, and her mother, Matilda, worked as a schoolteacher. Their commitment to learning and justice helped shape Bolin’s own ambitions. She excelled academically, graduating from Wellesley College in 1928 and later attending Yale Law School, where she was one of only a few women and one of the very few Black students in her class.

After earning her law degree, Bolin began a career dedicated to fighting discrimination and advocating for children and families. Her early work included representing clients in New York and serving as a legal advisor for the National Urban League, where she urged employers to hire Black lawyers and promoted equal opportunity in the legal profession.

In 1939, Bolin’s groundbreaking appointment came when New York mayor Fiorello LaGuardia appointed her to the Domestic Relations Court of New York City. In that role, she focused on issues affecting families and juveniles, advocating for fair treatment and reforms in child welfare and family law. Her presence on the bench challenged preconceived notions about who could serve with authority and distinction in the judiciary.

Throughout her decades on the bench, Bolin was known for her fairness, intellect, and unwavering commitment to justice. She served as a judge until her retirement in 1979, mentoring young Black lawyers and championing equal rights from the bench.

Jane Matilda Bolin’s legacy endures not only because she was the first Black woman judge, but because she transformed the role into one of principled leadership. Her career expanded the possibilities for all those who would follow in her footsteps, proving that the judiciary could be both more inclusive and more just.