Constance (Baker) Motley (1921 - 2005)

Ancestors

Biography

Considered by many "the chief courtroom tactician of the civil rights movement,"^[1] the Honorable Constance Baker Motley was a trailblazing figure in American history, renowned for her groundbreaking achievements in law and politics. She was the first Black woman to argue before the Supreme Court, the first Black woman to serve in the New York State Senate, the first woman of any race to be Manhattan borough president, and the first Black woman appointed to be a federal judge.^[2]

Constance Juanita Baker was born on September 14, 1921, in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, United States.^[3] She was the daughter of Willoughby Alva Baker and Rachel Keziah (Huggins) Baker, the ninth of their twelve children.^[4][5][1] She was baptized at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut.^[6]

In the 1930 census, Constance was enumerated at 8 Garden Street in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. She was a student living in her parents' household.^[7]

In 1939, Constance graduated from Hillhouse High School in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut. According to her senior yearbook, her high school activities were Writers’ Club, Debating Club, and French Club; her hobby was writing; and her future plans were to attend college and law school.^[8] During her time in high school, she was president of the New Haven Negro Youth Council and secretary of the New Haven Adult Community Council.^[2]

After high school, Constance worked briefly as a domestic worker,^[1] and for the National Youth Administration. In the 1940 census, Constance was enumerated in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut in her parents' household.^[9] She then continued her studies at Fisk University, a historically Black university in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee.^[2] After 18 months at Fisk, Constance transferred to New York University, from which she would graduate with a degree in economics in 1943.^[10] She then studied at Columbia Law School, graduating in 1946.^[1]

Constance B. Motley with her husband Joel

After her graduation from law school, Constance married Joel Wilson Motley Jr. on August 18, 1946,^[11] at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut.'^[2][12] Together they had one son. In the 1950 census, Constance was enumerated in New York City, New York, United States. She was the wife of Joel W. Motley. She was a lawyer.^[13]

Between 1946 and 1966, Constance worked as a staff attorney for the N.A.A.C.P. Legal Defense and Education Fund. She was their first woman attorney. During that time, Constance worked on some of the most important civil rights cases in U.S. history. She wrote the original complaint in Brown v. Board of Education and served as law clerk to Thurgood Mashall. She also spearheaded the argument that led to the admission of James H. Meredith to the University of Mississippi in 1962." She was the first Black woman to argue before the Supreme Court. She did so ten times and won nine of her cases. (The tenth was overturned in her favor on appeal.)^[1][2]

In 1964, Constance became the first Black woman to serve as a New York state senator. The following year, she was elected Manhattan borough president, the first woman to hold the position. In 1966, she became the first Black woman to be named a district judge, serving in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. She remained on the federal bench for the rest of her life, being promoted to chief judge in 1982 and senior judge in 1986.^[1][2]

During her career, she, her husband. and her son lived in Manhattan.^[14] They also had a home in Chester, Middlesex, Connecticut.^[2][15]

Constance died at NYU Downtown Hospital in Manhattan, New York City, New York on September 28, 2005. The cause of death was congestive heart failure.^[1][16][17] A private funeral was held at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, on October 5, 2024.^[6] A public memorial service was held on November 4, 2005, at Riverside Church in Manhattan, New York, New York.^[18] Her burial location was not made public.^[19]

Constance was the recipient of many honors both during her life and posthumously.

• 1984: Candace Award for Distinguished Service from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women^[2]
• 1993: inductee, National Women's Hall of Fame^[2]
• 2001: Presidential Citizens Medal^[2]
• 2003: NAACP Spingam Medal^[2]
• 2006: Congressional Gold Medal^[2]
• 2011: Ford Freedom Award^[2]
• 2024: subject of a commemorative U.S. postage stamp^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} NYT Obituary: Douglas Martin, "Constance Baker Motley, Civil Rights Trailblazer, Dies at 84,"
   (https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/29/nyregion/constance-baker-motley-civil-rights-trailblazer-dies-at-84.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VE0.bba7.Ls2bn16C7wOG&smid=url-share : accessed 14 February 2024)
   citing The New York Times, 29 Sep 2005, National edition, Section B, Page 10.
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13} Wikipedia entry: Wikipedia contributors, "Constance Baker Motley," database
   (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia : accessed 14 February 2024)
3. ↑ 2005 Social Security: "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," database
   (Ancestry Record 60901 #44217836 : accessed 14 February 2024)
   Name Constance Juanita Baker [Constance Baker Motley] [Constance Motley], Gender Female, Race Black, Birth Date 14 Sep 1921, Birth Place New Haven, Connecticut, Death Date 28 Sep 2005, Father Willoughby A Baker, Mother Rachel Huggins, Notes Apr 1939: Name listed as CONSTANCE JUANITA BAKER; : Name listed as CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY; 21 Oct 2005: Name listed as CONSTANCE B MOTLEY
   citing Original data Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007.
4. ↑ Naturalization Declaration: "Connecticut, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1790-1996," database with images
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 61195 #652154 : accessed 14 February 2024)
   Name Willoughby Alva Baker, Declaration Age 26, Birth Date 21 Sep 1884, Birth Place B. W. Indies Niois Church Ground [British West Indies, Nevis, Church Ground], Record Type Naturalization Declaration, Departure Place British West Indies, Arrival Date 22 May 1906, Arrival Place New York, New York, Declaration Date 12 Nov 1910, Declaration Place New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, Ship Carona
   citing National Archives at Boston, Waltham, Massachusetts, ARC Title Petitions and Records of Naturalization For New Haven, 4/1911-1992, NAI Number 6050435, Record Group Title Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685-2009, Record Group Number Rg 21, Declaration Number 1297.
5. ↑ Social Security: "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," database
   (Ancestry Record 60901 #794217836 : accessed 14 February 2024)
   Name Rachel Huggins, Gender Female, Spouse Willoughby A Baker, Child Constance Juanita Baker
   citing Original data Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} New Haven Register Obituary: Randall Beach, "Constance Baker Motley 1921-2005; 'One of the greatest,'"
   (https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/10D1712DC68E6FB0 : accessed 15 February 2024 : accessed 15 February 2024)
   citing New Haven Register, 6 Oct 2005.
7. ↑ 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930," database with images
   (FamilySearch Record: XM56-RHN : accessed 14 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GR4L-XGS
   Constance Baker (8), single daughter, in household of Willoughby Baker (44) in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Born in Connecticut
   citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T626; Line: 66; Digital film/folder number: 004950338; FHL microfilm: 2340011; Image number: 1111; Sheet number: 8; Sheet letter: B; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03770-2.
8. ↑ 1939 School Yearbook: "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016," database with images
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 1265 #371036126 : accessed 16 February 2024)
   Name Constance Juanita Baker, Estimated Age 16, Birth Year abt 1923, Yearbook Date 1939, School Hillhouse High School, School Location New Haven, Connecticut, USA
   citing "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012", School Name Hillhouse High School, Year 1939.
9. ↑ 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940," database with images
   (FamilySearch Record: KW99-7L7 : accessed 14 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9M1-JDCL
   Constance Baker (18), single daughter, in household of Willowby Baker (55) in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Born in Connecticut
   citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 80; Digital film/folder number: 005461431; Image number: 14; Sheet number: 6; Sheet letter: A.
10. ↑ 2005 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com," database with images
    (Newspapers Clip: 140867445 : accessed 16 February 2024)
    citing News-Press (Fort Myers, Florida) Thu, Sep 29, 2005, page 2.
11. ↑ Marriage: "Web: Connecticut, U.S., Marriage Records, 1897-1968," database with images
    (Ancestry Record 70865 #91151181 : accessed 14 February 2024)
    Constance Baker marriage to Joel Motley on 18 Aug 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut, USA
    citing Connecticut State Department of Health, Hartford, CT, Connecticut Vital Records — Index of Marriages, 1897-1968, URL https://www.ctatatelibrarydata.org/marriage-records/.
12. ↑ Wedding Announcement: Harriet Cheek, "Willoughby-Motley Wedding Brilliant Affair,
    (https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1712D252790E5198%40GB3NEWS-17239C52E507B8AB%402432057-17239C5D97756177%403-17239C5D97756177%40?h : accessed 15 February 2024)
    citing Hartford Chronicle, 24 Aug 1946, Hartford, CT, p. 4.
13. ↑ 1950 Census: "United States 1950 Census," database with images
    (FamilySearch Record: 6XRW-FKCQ : accessed 13 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3QHN-LQHW-99WV-5
    Constance Motley (28), wife, Lawyer, in household of Joel W Motley (28) in New York City, New York, United States. Born in Connecticut
    citing Page: 71; Line: 14; Digital film/folder number: 108847588; Image number: 25.
14. ↑ Residence: "U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1," database
    (Ancestry Record 1788 #248290143 : accessed 16 February 2024)
    Name Constance B Motley [Constance Bakermotley], Birth Date 14 Sep 1921, Residence Date 1993, Address 875 W End Ave Apt 6a, Residence New York, NY, Postal Code 10025-4952, Second Residence Date 1993, Second Address 875 W End Ave Apt 6a, Second Residence New York, NY, Second Postal Code 10025-4952
    citing Original data Voter Registration Lists, Public Record Filings, Historical Residential Records, and Other Household Database Listings.
15. ↑ 1982 Directory: "U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995," database with images
    Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 2469 #130163410 : accessed 16 February 2024)
    Name Constance B Motley, Gender Female, Residence Year 1982, Residence Place Old Saybrook, Connecticut, USA, Spouse Joel W Motley, Publication Title Old Saybrook, Connecticut, City Directory, 1982
    citing Original data Original sources vary according to directory. The title of the specific directory being viewed is listed at the top of the image viewer page. Check the directory title page image for full title and publication information.
16. ↑ Death: "United States Social Security Death Index," database
    (FamilySearch Record: JTXD-766 : accessed 14 February 2024)
    Constance B Motley death 28 Sep 2005 (born 14 Sep 1921) residing in New york, New york
    citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
17. ↑ Death: "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007," database
    (FamilySearch Record: 6KMV-D5QZ : accessed 14 February 2024)
    Constance Juanita Baker death 28 Sep 2005 (born 14 Sep 1921)
    citing Digital film/folder number: DI0001099.
18. ↑ NYT Death Notice: "Paid Notice: Deaths; Motley, The Honorable Constance Baker,"
    (https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/29/classified/paid-notice-deaths-motley-the-honorable-constance-baker.html?unlocked_article_code=1.V00._iT5.T9MBdXtcXi1n&smid=url-share : accessed 15 February 2024)
    citing The New York Times, 29 Sep 2005, National edition, Section B, Page 10.
19. ↑ Memorial: "Find a Grave," database with images
    (Find A Grave: Memorial #12261874 : accessed 15 February 2024)
    Memorial page for Constance Juanita Baker Motley (14 Sep 1921-21 Sep 2005); Maintained by Curtis Jackson (contributor 46552524).