MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackmon, Horhn, Frazier, Jordan, Jackson (11th), Simmons (13th), Witherspoon, Butler, Turner, Simmons (12th), Norwood, Jackson (32nd), Branning, Barnett, Hopson, Tollison, Blount, Dawkins, Fillingane
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF HONORABLE CONSTANCE IONA SLAUGHTER-HARVEY AS THE FIRST BLACK FEMALE TO GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL OF LAW AND FOR HER COMMITMENT AND LEADERSHIP IN MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY SERVICE.
WHEREAS, Constance Slaughter-Harvey is the first black woman to receive a law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. An encounter with Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers and his death inspired her efforts to bring Civil Rights change to Mississippi. Throughout her career spanning decades of achievement in private practice and public service, she amassed an extensive and impressive list of accomplishments. Since 2005, Slaughter-Harvey has served as Scott County Youth Court Prosecutor. As founder and President of Slaughter Memorial Foundation, she supervises an after-school program where she spends her free time teaching and mentoring at-risk children; and
WHEREAS, Constance Slaughter-Harvey graduated from Hawkins High School in Forest, Mississippi, as Valedictorian of her 1963 class. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics, graduating Cum Laude from Tougaloo College in May 1967, and was elected as President of the Student Government Association, becoming the first female to serve in that capacity. She was the first black female to receive a law degree from the University of Mississippi (January 27, 1970). Upon graduation, she joined the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law as a Staff Attorney and worked there until 1972 when she returned to Forest, Mississippi, and established her private law practice. She was Executive Director of Southern Legal Rights and later became Director of East Mississippi Legal Services in 1979; and
WHEREAS, Constance Slaughter-Harvey is presently engaged in the practice of law and serves as President of Elections, Inc. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Tougaloo College. She was most recently honored as the recipient of the Mississippi Power Company 2016 Heritage Award as a Civil Rights icon and for her leadership in Mississippi Community Service. In November 1999, she was honored with the establishment of the Constance Slaughter-Harvey Endowed Chair in Political Science/Pre-Law at Tougaloo College by banker and lifelong friend Thomas Colbert, and wife, Ann. Constance Slaughter-Harvey was honored having the Black Law Student Association named in her honor at the University of Mississippi in 1998. She was one of eight founders of the National Black Law Student Association in 1969 at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She is past President of the Magnolia Bar Association and recipient of the prestigious R.J. Brown Award. Constance Slaughter-Harvey has received numerous awards and honors, some of which include: recipient of Susie Blue Buchanan Award, 2004; recipient of Mississippi Majesty Award, 2003; honored as National Builder by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, December 2002; elected Tougaloo College 2003 Alumnae of the Year; elected to serve as Bar Commissioner for the Mississippi State Bar Association representing the Eighth Circuit Court District, 2002-2005; received The University of Mississippi Law School Public Service Award, December 2001; selected as the Mississippi Woman Lawyer of the Year, May 2001; selected as Mississippi Federated Women's District Woman of the Year, November 2000; inducted into the Tougaloo College National Alumni Association Hall of Fame for Government and Law, October 2000; received the "Power of One" Award - Mississippi Women 2000 "Power of One" Conference, April 2000; selected as one of nine new inductees to the Mississippi Bar Foundation - distinguished honor of being Mississippi Bar Foundation Fellow, 2000; Mississippi Bar Fellow 1999 and Vice Chair of Mississippi Supreme Court Gender Task Force; and
WHEREAS, Constance Slaughter-Harvey's affiliations and memberships are numerous, and her governmental achievements include: founder and elected President of the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) in 1991; the first black and first female member of the Motor Voter National Advisory Board, (1995); Coordinator of the Mississippi State Democratic Party Coordinating Committee (1995); Campaign Manager for more than 50 local campaigns, including campaigns resulting in the first black female officeholders in the City of Forest and Scott County; appointed by President Jimmy Carter (1978) as a Presidential Scholars Commissioner; appointed Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Human Development under the Administration of William Winter (1980-1984); and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend and accord the highest accolades to this distinction and honor brought to our state and the nation in furthering the cause of justice and equality for all citizens:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the legacy of Honorable Constance Iona Slaughter-Harvey as the first black female to graduate from the University of Mississippi School of Law and for her commitment and leadership in Mississippi community service, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to Constance and her family on this high honor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Constance Iona Slaughter-Harvey in recognition of her lifelong work and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.