Unlearned History Episode2: Patricia Roberts Harris
Unlearned History Episode 2 Patricia Roberts Harris 1924-85 The first black woman to be in the line of succession of the US Presidency, first black woman to represent US as a diplomat, civil rights activist, First black woman to be Dean of Howard University School of Law, a director of IBM, and is honored in 2000 with a stamp This woman is Patricia Roberts Harris, born in Mattoon Illinois in 1924 to a dining car waiter. She graduated in 1945 summa cum laude and received her J.D in 1960 as valedictorian of 94 students. She made a name for herself in Democratic politics eventually seconding the nomination of LBJ in 1964. One year later, she was named by Lyndon B Johnson as ambassador to Luxembourg, a post she served in until 1967 In 1969, she was the first black woman to serve as Dean of Howard University (her alma mater’s) School Of Law. In 1972, she was again at the Democratic National Convention as permanent Chairperson of the Credentials Committee w...