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May 31. 2006
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As one of only a handful of
American women and certainly the
only one who was black, Mary Ann
Shadd Cary had earned the right to
square off with some of the most
powerful white male attorneys in
the country.
Cary was the first woman to at
tend the Howard University Law
School. She also became the first
black woman to cast a vote in a
national election and the first woman
to speak at a national black con ven-
tion.
Although Cary found remark
able success, it did not come easy.
Her childhood poverty forced her
to succeed slowly. She did not make
it into the Law Program at Howard
until she was 41. Prior to that she
had been a teacher, principal, writer,
advocate and publisher.
As if she had not faced enough
discrimination in her life, was not
allowed adiplom a after passing the
bar at the time of her graduation.
Fearing that a woman graduate
(especially a black one) would cause
great negative publicity, Cary ’ s Law
Degree diploma was withheld for 10
mailed it to the college, signing it
“C.E.Ray.”
Not expecting a woman to show
up, Howard was only too happy to
accept the application and tuition
money. By the time what happened
was discovered, the school decided
to let it go and see what would
happen. As it turned out, Ray was
an excellent student and Howard
began slow ly accepting black
women law students after that.
Still, it would be decades before
Mary Ann Shadd Cary
any real change took place in allow
years. Howard University adminis ing women of any color into most of
trators feared reprisals from power the nation’s law colleges. While
ful wealthy white male lawyers and some colleges and universities ac
cepted them into the law program,
politicians.
Only during the last 12 years of they were often taunted and ha
her life was Cary allowed to perf orm rassed through theirentire program.
legal work. Until her death in 1893 at A nd once A frican A m erican
the age of 70, she fought many legal women graduated from law school
challenges including those involv it was extremely hard for them to
find work. The courts were gener
ing wom en's rights and suffrage.
Another courageous fighter who ally reserved for men even as late as
challenged America’s early legal the mid-20lh century.
Ray advertised her services in
Ron Weber is a writer and
machinery was Charlotte E. Ray.
Fearing denial to admittance to the “New Nation Era and Citizen” speaker on African American his
Howard Law School, Charlotte sim and relied on word of mouth to tory and a regular contributor to
ply filled out an application and bring her business. She also be the Portland Observer.
Striving
,or Impact
continued
came the first woman of any color to
specialize in Corporate Law.
She was adynamic role model in
teaching and civil rights issues.
While sources are a little unclear
regarding the exact date of her death,
most say that Ray died in 1911 at the
age of 60.
Both these women cleared the
path for other black lawyers tocome.
Between 1896 and the end of the
World War II, 35 women graduated
from the Howard Law School cam
pus. During the 1920s, enough
African-American women law stu
dents were enrolled to form the
Epsilon Sigma Iota Sorority. This is
believed to be the first black soror
ity formed anywhere in the world.
All through our country’s early
history, women have had to forc
ibly challenge a system controlled
by men. Whether it was becoming
a lawyer, a politician, obtaining the
right to vote or learning how to fly
an airplane, the undefeatable spirit
of America’s women and African
A m erican wom en has alw ays
shined through
from Front
“I’ve been asked why 1 was appointed, and
I don’t think it’s because I’m a woman, but I
think it didn’t hurt, either,” she said.
Sizer said increasing the num bersof African
Americans on the 944-member force is one of
her priorities. Currently 42 officers or 4.2 per
cent of Portland police are black.
Portland has had difficulty recruiting Afri
can American officers, regardless of who’s in
charge. Sizer addresses the issue by suggest
ing a more relationship-based approach in re
cruitment beyond traditional job fairs and pam
phlets.
She used to patrol the H umboldt/Boise neigh
borhood of north and northeast Portland, but
not all officers have interracial experiences, or
get any type of interracial interaction in their
personal time.
She said it’s important to give officers a
chance to interact with the community outside
of 911 calls.
“For years officers have been expected to
make partnerships, but 1 honestly don't think
that’s concrete enough,” she said. "I' m looking
for people to step forward so we can establish
specific relationships."
She also suggests officers, especially
those new to Portland, should understand
the history of neighborhoods like the W orld
W ar II housing projects of Vanport and
Colum bia Villa, which have shaped what the
city is today.
“That’s why it’s important to facilitate this,”
Sizer said. "This should be part of the training,
especially if local historians are willing to par
ticipate.”
Sizer said the bureau will continue sensitiv
ity training, and relationship-based recruitment
to overcome distrust of the police.
“I’ve been surprised by how responsive the
force has been to what I’ ve said,” she said. “I’ m
trying to get the message throughout the force
not to be so defensive. People must find a
common ground and look at things through
various perspectives.”
NEW S E A S O N S
Drew i f up.
SALAD
D R E S S IN G
S a tu rd a y
T A S T IN G
& S unday
1 1 :0 0 a m -5 :0 0 p m
Does that shelf in your refrigerator have one, lonely bottle
of generic Italian dressing on it? Freshen up your dressing
collection by visiting our salad dressing tasting this weekend.
Add some excitement to your salads by experimenting with
different flavors. Check out the Kalamata Olive & Caper
dressing or Rosemary Balsamic. Go Asian with Thai Sesame
Lime. Get a taste of the islands with Papaya Poppy Seed. Have
any idea what Cowgirl Ranch is? Did you know there's even
a Champagne dressing? On a dairy-free diet? Try soy-based
Creamy Italian. From French Tomato to Chunky Blue Cheese,
our shelves are stocked with over 100 different choices. We'll
be opening them all for you to taste on Earthbound Farms
organic salad greens.
Rather make your own dressing? We’ll share some of our
favorite recipes and point you in the right direction to pick
up the ingredients you’ll need to create memorable, fresh,
homemade salads.
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ARBOR
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