By Mikala McCurry Associate Journalist
Mahala Ashley Dickerson, an entrepreneur, lawyer, and civil rights activist, made an impact around the world. She was passionate about supporting minorities and underprivileged people in society, regardless of their race. By becoming the first African American to become a lawyer in two states, Dickerson exemplifies how a determined black woman can make a difference in society.
Mahala Ashley Dickerson was born in October of 1912 in Montgomery, Alabama. From the time she was a little girl, Dickerson knew that she wanted to be an attorney to help people that were not getting assistance from other lawyers. She attended an all black private school where she met Rosa Parks; they became lifelong friends and civil rights activists. Dickerson graduated from Fisk University with a degree in sociology. She then attended Howard University and received her law degree in 1945.
The next year, Dickerson became the first black female attorney to be admitted into the bar association in Alabama. She opened and maintained law practices in Montgomery and Tuskegee. While working in Alabama, Dickerson advocated for the poor and underprivileged, as well as women and minorities. She accepted many cases for free and mentored young minority attorneys; one of her mentoring subjects became the first African-American judge in Alaska.
After visiting Alaska on vacation, Dickerson decided that she wanted to move there. She became the first black female attorney to be admitted into the bar association in Alaska. Because the American Bar Association did not typically accept African Americans, Dickerson was reluctantly invited to joined only after she was admitted to the Alabama and Alaska state bar associations.
Mahala Ashley Dickerson received great recognition for her accomplishments. She was honored by the NAACP for her work with minorities. She was also awarded an honorary Doctorate of Law degree from the University of Alaska in 1984. After receiving her honorary doctorate, Dickerson became the first African American president of the National Association of Women Lawyers. She was awarded the Margaret Brent Award from the American Bar Association in 1995 and the Maud McLure Kelly Award from the Alabama State Bar Association in 2006.
Dickerson practiced law for 91 years. After retiring, she became a published author. Her autobiography, entitled “Delayed Justice For Sale”, details her life and her views on the mistreatment of the poor and destitute communities in the United States. Dickerson died in February of 2007 at age 95; her impact and actions, however, will live on for generations to come.
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