Skip to main content

Right to Serve

Twice, I’ve been called to jury duty. The first time, I was dismissed because my ex-law partners were trying the case. The next time, I refused to agree to convict someone if it meant an automatic life sentence without chance for parole. Both times, I was ready and grateful to be on the jury. I wanted to exercise the right to serve. A jury of your peers means a jury system where we all participate.

It was not always so.

If you are female like me, you can only serve on a jury and participate in the justice system thanks to an exceptional Black American.

Gardenia White, represented by Attorney Pauli Murray, won in 1966 a woman’s right to serve on juries.

Black History is American history, if only we would tell it.

Join me as I continue this month to explore how my life has been impacted by Black History.

lava lamp casts green light on a statue of a woman shouldering an urn illustrating the right to serve on juries

Shining light on why I have the right to serve

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Discover more from Ellen Morris Prewitt

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading