Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander
1898–1989 (age 91)
Civil rights attorney and economist
Biography
Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander broke barriers as a civil rights attorney and economist, becoming the first Black woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in economics and using her education to advocate for justice. She wielded her formidable intellect to challenge discrimination, advance economic understanding, and mentor others striving for equality.
Her civic leadership and legal acumen left a lasting imprint on the community she served, and she rests at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, where her courage and determination continue to be celebrated.