Increasing the 2%

The Charlotte E Ray Legal Society is a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to empowering and supporting black female undergraduate and law school students on their journey towards legal careers. We are committed to becoming the leading advocate for black women in law schools nationwide, establishing chapters and ambassadors across regions to enhance our impact.

Central to our mission is a strong focus on academic excellence, professional development, and fostering sisterhood among our members. Through mentorship, educational resources, and community engagement initiatives tailored for college students aspiring to attend law school and programs specifically for Black women in law school, CERLS provides a supportive network that spans the country.

CERLS empowers members to lead and innovate, creating a supportive network nationwide. Through educational programs, community outreach, and mentorship circles, we aim to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will make a significant impact in the legal profession and beyond.

Join us in our mission to empower and support black women in law schools and beyond, as we work together to build a future where every aspiring black woman lawyer can thrive and succeed.

  The mission of the Charlotte E Ray Legal Society (CERLS) is to increase the low 2% rate of Black women attorneys in the United States. We do that by fostering a supportive community among black women law students and professionals, promoting academic and professional excellence, and advocating for increased representation of black women in the legal field. We offer educational programs, community engagement, mentorship opportunities, and efforts to bridge the gap between students and practicing attorneys. 

We stand on the shoulders of Charlotte E Ray.  Ray was the first black female attorney in the United States. Ray graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1872.  She was also the first female admitted to the District of Columbia and the first woman admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Her admission was used as a precedent by women in other states who sought admission to the bar. Early on, Fredrick Douglas supported Ray and used his newspaper to advertise her law office. However, because of systematic racism and sexism, she practiced law for only a few years. Although Ray was thought of as one of the most talented attorneys like so many other black women, Ray's intelligence, sex, and skin color were seen as a threat to society, and it was hard for her to find work. Prejudice against African Americans and women made her practice unsustainable. Ray eventually moved to New York, where she became a teacher. She ultimately became a pioneer and turned her attention to the women's suffrage movement and joined the National Association of Colored Women