George Wallace: The Great Divider

As another presidential election approaches, we remember a man who was as controversial in his time as any current candidate: George Wallace. In 2008 on the 10th anniversary of Wallace’s death, Jeff Frederick considered the evolution of his politics.

Thurgood Marshall: 20 Facts

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall was a giant of the civil rights movement, and his impressive achievements number in the dozens. Here are 20 things to know about about the first African American appointed to the Supreme Court.

Joseph Wapner (1919–2017), The People's Court judge

"The People's Court" judge launched the courtroom-reality TV genre.

Sheila Abdus-Salaam (1952–2017)

Sheila Abdus-Salaam, the country’s first female Muslim judge, died Wednesday, April 12, 2017, according to multiple sources. She was 65.

Ernest Finney (1931–2017), South Carolina's first African-American chief justice

He was a prominent civil rights attorney before becoming chief justice…

Vel Phillips (1923–2018), civil rights pioneer

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Vel Phillips, a civil rights pioneer who helped lead open housing marches in Milwaukee in the 1960s and was the first black person elected to a Wisconsin statewide office, has died. She was 94.  

Damon Keith (1922–2019), federal judge promoted equality

Damon Keith was a federal judge with a long and prolific career, serving on the U.S. Court of the Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for more than 40 years. Presiding over courts in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, Keith never retired, serving until his death at 96. His most notable decision was in a 1971 case regarding the Nixon Administration. Nixon's Justice Department was wiretapping people suspected of conspiring to bomb a CIA office, and they were doing it without court orders. Keith ordered them to cease wiretapping without warrants. The Justice Department appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld Keith's decision 8-0. Keith was also known for a 1971 order to desegregate schools in Pontiac, Michigan via bussing, as well as for upholding the affirmative action policy in the Detroit Police Department.

John Paul Stevens (1920–2019), retired Supreme Court Justice

Stevens was the third-longest-serving justice in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nathaniel Jones (1926–2020), civil rights activist

Nathaniel Jones was a prominent civil rights activist who led important desegregation suits as chief counsel for the NAACP from 1969 until 1979. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed Jones to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in Cincinnati, where he served until his retirement in 2002. In the 1980s, he traveled to Africa to assist developing countries in creating judicial systems.

Deborah Batts (1947–2020), pioneering judge who was overseeing Michael Avenatti trial

Deborah Batts was the nation’s first openly LGBTQ federal judge, who was set to oversee Michael Avenatti’s Stormy Daniels-related embezzlement trial. She was nominated for a federal judgeship by President Bill Clinton in 1994, and she was sworn in later that year after a smooth confirmation hearing. Serving as the U.S. District Judge for Manhattan, Batts oversaw cases including a 2006 civil suit against an EPA administrator who was accused of misleading the public about the risk of toxic air pollution around the site of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020), influential U.S. Supreme Court justice

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the second woman and the first Jewish woman appointed to the court in U.S. history.

Alcee Hastings (1936–2021), longtime U.S. Representative from Florida

Alcee Hastings was a U.S. Representative from Florida who served from 1993 until his death.

Jack B. Weinstein (1921–2021), federal judge in Agent Orange case

Jack B. Weinstein was a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, who presided over notable cases.

Mills Lane (1937–2022), Hall of Fame boxing referee and TV judge

Mills Lane was a boxing referee who officiated many notable bouts, including the “Bite Fight” between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.

Thomas Buergenthal (1934–2023), prominent human rights advocate

Thomas Buergenthal was a Holocaust survivor who went on to become an attorney, judge, and scholar, and an influential advocate for human rights.

H. Lee Sarokin (1928–2023), judge who freed “Hurricane” Carter 

H. Lee Sarokin ruled in several high-profile cases during his time as a United States circuit court judge. He freed Rubin “Hurricane” Carter after saying the prosecution was tainted by racism and ruled against the tobacco industry in a civil liability lawsuit.

James Buckley (1923–2023), oldest former U.S. senator 

James Buckley was a U.S. senator from New York who served in the 1970s and later became a federal judge.

Sandra Day O’Connor (1930–2023), first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court

Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Sheila Jackson Lee (1950–2024), 30-year congresswoman from Texas

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was a 30-year congresswoman from Texas best known for her advocacy of progressive causes.