26 Interesting Facts about Jane Bolin

Dan April 24, 2023

Jane Bolin was an accomplished attorney and judge who made history as the first African American woman to graduate from Yale Law School and the first to serve as a judge in the United States. She was Born on April 11, 1908, in Poughkeepsie, New York. Jane Bolin grew up in a prominent African American family. Her father was a lawyer and her mother was an activist in the suffrage movement. Bolin graduated from Wellesley College in 1928 and went on to study law at Yale University. She graduated in 1931, becoming the first African American woman to earn a law degree from the prestigious institution.

Bolin went on to work as an attorney in New York City, where she focused on civil rights and family law. In 1939, she made history again when she was appointed as a judge in the New York City Domestic Relations Court, becoming the first African American woman to serve as a judge in the United States.

As a judge, Bolin was a trailblazer who fought for equal rights and justice for all. She was known for her fair and compassionate rulings and her commitment to improving the lives of children and families in New York City. She served on the bench for more than 40 years, retiring in 1979 at the age of 70. Jane Bolin died in 2007 at the age of 98, but her legacy as a pioneering attorney and judge continues to inspire generations of lawyers and activists.

To know more about Jane Bolin, let’s take a look at these 26 interesting facts about Jane Bolin.

1. Jane Bolin was born on April 11, 1908, in Poughkeepsie, New York.
2. Her father, Gaius Charles Bolin, was the first African American to graduate from Williams College and the first to be appointed as a probation officer in New York City.
3. Her mother, Matilda Emery Bolin, was a suffragist and community activist.
4. Bolin was one of four children in her family.
5. She attended Wellesley College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in 1928.
6. Bolin went on to attend Yale Law School, where she was the first African American woman to graduate, in 1931.
7. After law school, Bolin worked as a volunteer attorney for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Youth Administration.
8. She also worked as a private attorney, focusing on civil rights and family law.
9. In 1937, Bolin married Ralph E. Mizelle, a fellow attorney.
10. In 1939, Bolin was appointed as a judge in the New York City Domestic Relations Court, becoming the first African American woman to serve as a judge in the United States.
11. Bolin served on the bench for more than 40 years, retiring in 1979 at the age of 70.
12. She was known for her commitment to improving the lives of children and families in New York City.
13. Bolin was also an advocate for equal rights and justice for all.
14. She was a member of the National Association of Women Lawyers and the National Council of Negro Women.
15. Bolin received numerous awards and honors during her lifetime, including the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal in 1950.
16. She was also inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1994.
17. Bolin was a trailblazer who opened the doors for other women and minorities in the legal profession.
18. She was a mentor to many young lawyers and activists.
19. Bolin was a dedicated public servant who believed in the power of the law to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
20. She was also a devoted mother and grandmother.
21. Bolin was a lifelong resident of New York City and was active in many community organizations.
22. She passed away on January 8, 2007, at the age of 98.
23. Bolin’s legacy continues to inspire generations of lawyers and activists who seek to make a difference in the world.
24. In 2020, the New York City Family Court was renamed in her honor.
25. Bolin’s papers and other materials are held in the archives of the Schlesinger Library at Harvard University.
26. She is remembered as a pioneering attorney and judge who fought for justice and equality for all people, regardless of race or gender.

Jane Bolin was a true pioneer in the legal profession and a tireless advocate for civil rights and social justice. She broke down barriers as the first African American woman to graduate from Yale Law School and the first to serve as a judge in the United States. Bolin’s commitment to improving the lives of children and families in New York City and her advocacy for equal rights and justice for all made her a beloved public figure and a respected leader in her community. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of lawyers and activists who seek to make a difference in the world. Jane Bolin’s life and achievements serve as a reminder of the power of determination, courage, and dedication to effect positive change in society.