Justice Older than the Law: The Life of Dovey Johnson Roundtree (Margaret Walker Alexander Series in African American Studies)

"Justice Older than the Law: The Life of Dovey Johnson Roundtree" is a profound exploration of a trailblazer who relentlessly tore down racial and gender barriers in America. Dovey Johnson Roundtree's journey from the streets of Charlotte to the segregated courtrooms of Washington, D.C., showcases her unwavering pursuit of justice in environments dominated by white men. As a protégé of Mary McLeod Bethune and inspired by legal giants at Howard University, Roundtree's groundbreaking victory in the 1955 bus desegregation case, Sarah Keys v. Carolina Coach Company, shattered the "separate but equal" doctrine in interstate transportation, influencing crucial civil rights battles. Her dual role as an attorney and ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church highlights her holistic approach to battling social injustices, particularly against the backdrop of urban violence. This compelling narrative, a collaboration with Katie McCabe, won the Association of Black Women Historians' 2009 Letitia Woods Brown Memorial Book Prize and is an essential read for those in adult education, providing deep insights into racial justice and gender equality. This book speaks to our racially troubled times, urging a reflection on the profound impacts of steadfast determination and faith in the fight for equality.