Since its official founding in 1895, the University of Pittsburgh School of Law has seen numerous exceptional graduates and faculty members. To celebrate the individuals who have broken the barriers within the legal community, this exhibit recognizes and honors several members of the Pitt Law community, showcasing their remarkable achievements and contributions to the legal profession and society at large. This exhibit aims to highlight diverse narratives through archival materials, photographs, and personal histories of alumni and faculty that have shaped the course of legal history and continue to inspire future generations of diverse legal scholars and practitioners, seeking to celebrate moments of social justice while addressing historical challenges of marginalized individuals at Pitt Law.
Robert Lee Vann made history as the first Black graduate of the University of Pittsburgh's law school in 1909, overcoming significant racial barriers to establish a successful law practice. When he faced challenges in attracting clients, he transformed The Pittsburgh Courier into a leading Black newspaper, using it as a platform for advocacy and political activism, which helped shift Black voter support from the Republican to the Democratic Party during the 1930s. Vann's legacy as a lawyer and journalist is marked by his commitment to civil rights, social justice, and the empowerment of African American voices, making a lasting impact on American history.
Honorable Sara Mathilde Soffel was one of the first female graduates of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1916, graduating top of her class and earning a teaching fellowship at the law school for the 1917-1918 academic year. Soffel made history serving as the state's the first woman elected to a judgeship in Pennsylvania in 1930. Her legacy as a pioneering judge and advocate for family planning highlights her influential contributions to the legal landscape and women's advancement in society.
Graduating from Pitt Law in 1927, Anne X. Alpern began her legal career during a time when opportunities for women in law were limited. Despite systemic gender biases, Alpern became the first woman to serve as Pittsburgh's city solicitor in 1942 and the first female Attorney General of Pennsylvania in 1959. Alpern's legacy is marked by her commitment to justice and reform, inspiring future generations of women in law.
Yolanda Barco was a1949 Pitt Law Graduate and a trailblazer in the cable television industry, despite often being overshadowed by her father's legacy. She achieved several notable firsts, including becoming the first woman general manager of a cable system, the first woman elected to the NCTA board of directors, and the first woman to serve as president of a state cable industry association. Yolanda's impact on the cable industry and her community was profound, showcasing her as a pioneering leader and a role model for women in business and law.
Roslyn “Roz” Litman graduated from Pitt Law in 1952 where she would later be the first female law professor whose career centered on defending civil liberties. As a labor attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Litman was active at the city, state, and national level, and served on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Both in career and in life, she was dedicated to the principles of equality and justice and advocated for systemic change.
K. Leroy Irvis was a Pitt Law alumnus from 1954, graduating fourth in his class. Irvis's legal education laid the foundation for a career that would reshape Pennsylvania's legislative landscape. His ascent to the first African American Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, a role he was unanimously elected and held from 1977 until his retirement in 1988, stands as a testament to his exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to civil rights, and profound dedication to public service.
Derrick Bell was a 1957 graduate of Pitt’s School of Law, where he served as associate editor-in-chief of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review. Bell was the first tenured Black professor at Harvard Law School and later one of the first Black deans of a law school that was not historically Black. He was a pioneer in the field of Critical Race Theory and a champion of race and gender diversity in the legal community.
Martha Richards Conley broke through significant racial and gender barriers in legal education as the first African American woman to earn a degree from Pitt Law in 1971, as well as the first Black woman admitted to the Allegheny County bar. She was Pittsburgh’s first Black female practicing attorney, specializing in workers' compensation, black lung disease law, and business law. Martha Richards Conley’s remarkable career and enduring legacy continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations of legal professionals and activists of color.
Robert Berkley Harper was a graduate of Pitt Law in 1971, defying the limited opportunities often available to Black students of his era. Harper initially served as the first Black Chief Legal Advisor to the Pittsburgh Police Department, ensuring the protection of arrestees’ rights and providing reformed perspectives to white enforcement officers, before serving as the first Black tenured law professor at his alma mater. Harper’s legacy endures through the lives he touched and the significant contributions he made to legal education and the broader community.