In 1921, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander made history as the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Economics in the United States.
A native of Philadelphia and a pioneer in education, Alexander achieved this remarkable feat at the University of Pennsylvania, where she had already earned her Master’s degree.
Her academic accomplishments set the stage for a groundbreaking career that would span law, economics, and civil rights advocacy.
Born into a family that defied racial barriers, Alexander’s father, Aaron Albert Mossell II, was the first African American graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Following in his footsteps, Sadie became the first Black woman admitted to Penn Law School in 1923. By 1927, she became the first African American woman to practice law in Pennsylvania, specializing in family and state law.
Throughout her career, Alexander was a tireless advocate for civil rights, using her legal expertise to fight for equality and economic justice.
Her legacy includes the Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School in West Philadelphia.
Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander passed away on November 1, 1989.
Alexander’s story is an inspiration to generations of women and African Americans, showcasing the power of perseverance and intellect in the face of adversity.
