1861-1865 and shortly afterward: 

Columbia College (now George Washington University) had no regulation setting forth color or race as a criterion for admission. African Americans had been admitted to the Law School for a time after the Civil War (1861-1865), but the separate education of the races had become an established but unwritten practice. [Bricks Without Straw]*

 

1884-1885: 

Samuel Laing Williams (1857-1921) was the first African-American to graduate from the law program of Columbia College of Law (later George Washington), earning an LL.B. in 1884 and LL.M. in 1885.GW BLSA bestows the "Samuel Laing Williams BLSA Man of the Year Award" every year at its Annual Patricia Roberts Harris Awards Dinner.

 

 

1938: 

The following is a memorandum prepared by GW President Cloyd Heck Marvin:

“There are no colored students in the George Washington University. The presence in Washington of abundant education resources on all levels for the colored people, including Howard University and the public educational system, explains this practice. Students of any race or color perform their best educational disciplines when they are happily situated in a congenial and homogeneous group, and the University, in its tradition and social environment has long preserved this policy. Consistent with this long standing observance, The George Washington University does not register colored students.” 

 

 

 

1954:

GW [finally] abolished all restrictions on minority student admissions. When it acted in July 1954, it did so at least partially because of the Supreme Court decision that spring [Brown v. Board of Education]. “Separate but equal” could no longer be the governing principle in education. Whatever the motivation, classes began in 1954 with no restrictions on African-American admissions. Before this time, blacks could study only in the evening division of the University and in the post-graduate classes of the medical school. [From Strength to Strength][emphasis added]* Leah Brock McCartney (1911 - 1984) becomes the first African-American woman to receive a degree from the law school, earning an LL.B. GW BLSA bestows the "Leah Brock McCartney BLSA Woman of the Year Award" every year at its Annual Patricia Roberts Harris Awards Dinner. For more information about Judge McCartney's accomplishments and legacy, please click here

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1958:

 Herbert H. Henderson (?-2007) was the first Black male graduate from The George Washington University’s Law School after GW abolished its policy of not admitting minority students, earning his JD in 1958. [From the Herald-Tribune of West Virginia]

 

1960:

Patricia Roberts Harris (1924-1985) graduated first out of 94 classmates from the GW National Law Center  in 1960, receiving her JD with honors. She would join the GW Law School faculty in 1983.*  She is memorialized every year through GW BLSA’s Patricia Roberts Harris Reception every May.  The event recognizes our graduating students as well as the GW and DC communities at large.  The 35th Anniversary of this event will be in April 2013.

 

Pre-1988:

GW Black Law Alumni Association (BLAA) is founded by at least two co-founders.  One of the currently known co-founders was Ms. Jeanette Michael, class of 1975, an ardent supporter of not only BLAA but also the campus BLSA chapter.

 

1988:

The Black Law Alumni Association (BLAA) began an orientation program specially designed for entering African American first year law students. The program is an intensive study skills training program.*

 

2013, 2016, 2017: 

GW BLSA has been recognized as the Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association Chapter of the Year!

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