Lena Olive Smith, Minnesota Historical Society.
|
In 1921, Lena Olive Smith graduated from law school and became the first African American woman licensed to practice law in Minnesota. Through her legal practice and work with the Minneapolis branch of the NAACP, Smith worked to end racial segregation practices in Minneapolis, especially in housing. Smith served as the president of the Minneapolis NAACP from 1930-39, where she and others developed strategies to help push elected officials, the University of Minnesota and others to change policies and work for equality in Minnesota.
|
Sources to Get Started |