Constance Baker Motley argued ten cases in front of the Supreme Court. She defended Martin Luther King in Birmingham. She helped to argue Brown vs. The Board of Education. She was the first black woman elected to the state Senate in New York, the first woman elected Manhattan Borough President, and the first black woman appointed to the federal judiciary.

This book starts out very slowly. There is a huge emphasis in the first part of the book at making the reader understand that Motley grew up in a primarily white community, went to white schools, and her education was privileged. In the second part of the book, the author focuses on Motley's work as a lawyer fighting civil rights under the direction of Thurgood Marshall. This part of the book provides an interesting perspective on the men's characters and the misogyny of the times. The third part of the book focuses on Motley's work on the Federal bench.

I really enjoy reading books about this time period that take you through the events, the cases, and the effects on the Civil Rights Movement. Constance Baker Motley had a long career and her work as a lawyer as well as her decisions on the bench had a positive impact on the Civil Rights of all people. The first third of the book dragged but the rest of the book was wonderful.

Thank you to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Pantheon and NetGalley for the chance to read this digital ARC (I also received a hard copy of the finished book)

I love reading about Civil rights, Black Lives Matter - any movements that help to propel the country forward in equality. With that being said - I knew nothing about this extraordinary woman who Rose to the top of her profession - Constance Mosley was the first Black woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court - and first Black woman elected to state senate - New York! I am so grateful to have been able to read her story - even though I am a caucasian woman I felt deeply connected to her and her story

A very powerful memoir that highlights the challenges fighting for gender equality and civil rights in the 20th century. One hundred percent worth the read as we continue to grapple with both social issues and the strife to make our nation a more equitable one for all.

An insightful and well-researched look into the life and work of an amazing judicial activist who is not talked about enough. A bit dense at times but interesting overall. I cannot believe that I hadn’t heard of Constance Baker Motley until picking up this book, and I’m so glad that I did. This book is ideal for those that enjoy biographies and for those that want to learn about an important voice in the civil rights movement.

An inspirational story about Constance Baker Motley and her personal and professional struggle for equality. Loved learning about the first Black woman to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court and how she got there and her life after. Always maintains her dignity

"When icons of opportunity and diversity take the reins of power in American institutions, the structure envelopes them. That is the price of the ticket. The system admits outsiders who play by its rules, fits them into its logic, and permits incremental reform."

Civil Rights Queen by Tomato Brown-Nagin is the culmination of a decade-long research effort into the life of Constance Baker Motley, one of the leading civil rights attorneys during the civil rights movement, and the first black woman to be appointed to the federal judiciary. A biography of Motley, Civil Rights Queen does not hold back in its criticisms of this amazing trailblazer. While Motley undeniably shaped the case law that led up to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as a jurist she also let down a large number of plaintiffs seeking justice under the very same Act.

Civil Rights Queen is well-researched and an important text that should have been published decades ago. Throughout my time at law school and college, I don't ever recall learning about Motley. That in and of itself says a lot. I recommend this book to everyone, but specifically law students and lawyers. While the law has moved forward since the Civil Rights Movement, it has moved slowly in incremental steps. Brown-Nagin's book can serve as a well-needed jolt to those (white) law students and lawyers who feel too comfortable in the false notion that we as a nation are far removed from 1960s de jure racism.

All in all, Motley's historic life needs to be more well-known and read. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Pantheon for this free review copy. Civil Rights Queen will be released on January 24, 2022.