The Life of Elreta Melton Alexander: Activism within the Courts

by Virginia L Summey

This book explores the life and contributions of groundbreaking attorney, Elreta Melton Alexander Ralston (1919–98). In 1945 Alexander became the first African American woman to graduate from Columbia Law School. In 1947 she was the first African American woman to practice law in the state of North Carolina, and in 1968 she became the first African American woman to become an elected district court judge. Despite her accomplishments, Alexander is little known to scholars outside of her hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. Her life and career deserve recognition, however, not just because of her impressive lists of “firsts,” but also owing to her accomplishments during the civil rights movement in the U.S. South.

While Alexander did not actively participate in civil rights marches and demonstrations, she used her professional achievements and middle-class status to advocate for individuals who lacked a voice in the southern legal system. Virginia L. Summey argues that Alexander was integral to the civil rights movement in North Carolina as she, and women like her, worked to change discriminatory laws while opening professional doors for other minority women. Using her professional status, Alexander combatted segregation by demonstrating that Black women were worthy and capable of achieving careers alongside white men, thereby creating environments in which other African Americans could succeed. Her legal expertise and ability to reach across racial boundaries made her an important figure in Greensboro history.

210 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2022

Reviews

[dr. Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

No reluctant pioneer

Virginia Summey’s biographical telling of Elreta Melton Alexander Ralston’s life and work is phenomenal. I thoroughly enjoyed the organization of the chapters - it isn’t a linear storytelling, but rather by important life milestones and happenings in Judge A’s life. It is so informative and insightful into politics, race, and the judicial system - particularly in the south and North Carolina specifically. Fantastic job to Summey as an academic, a writer, a historian, and ultimately as a memory keeper!!!

The entire world needs to know about Judge A. A strong, outspoken, courageous, kind and compassionate Black woman who led fiercely. She didn’t get all of her flowers while she was living, so my hope after reading this biography is that we can all give her those flowers NOW. I’m inspired and even more motivated as a Black woman in law to fight for fair representation for all who need it. I am excited to continue on what Judge A started with her beautiful legacy.

[Jennifer Board · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful biographical look into the life of one of North Carolina's civil rights activists from the 1960s to the 1980s. I am grateful to learn about Judge Elreta Melton Alexander's life and activism and from the lenses of a truthful deep dive into her life. Summey keeps you interested but also doesn't gloss over difficult challenges Elreta faced and this makes her experience all the more transparent and well worth reading. I was amazed to learn of the ways she impacted the judicial system with her investigative look into jury selection in Greensboro and her Judgement Day program for deferred juvenile sentencing. The book further motivated me to carefully research my voting choices as Judge Alexander, an experienced and highly lauded judge lost in the May 1974 election for chief justice of the NC Supreme Court to a fire extinguisher salesman with a high school diploma. If you are fascinated with the NC A&T 4, you must also read of Greensboro's own Judge Elreta Melton Alexander and all the ways her lived experience and professional contributions influenced her own and future generations.

[Karen Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m glad I learned about Elreta Melton Alexander and her life. As a resident of Greensboro, I feel knowing the history and the people who made that history are important.
While I was reading it, I felt like it read like an academic paper or a dissertation. I finally looked up the author, and sure enough it was a book made out of her dissertation. It made hard reading for me. I’m not a big biography reader to begin with and read this for a book club.
So a mixed rating 2 for style, 4 for content and my learning.
And a petty comment - I got a bit tired of reading about things that were at the “intersection” of a,b,and c. It felt like corporate buzzwords.

[Murray Muntz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account of an obscure but important figure in North Carolina history, the first Black woman (actually biracial) to graduate from Columbia Law School, the first Black female lawyer in NC, and the first Black woman in NC to be elected as a district court judge. She also became a brave and determined opponent of Jim Crow. Someone this important deserved a biography, and Summey has written an authoritative one.