Margaret Bush Wilson
Encyclopedia
Margaret Bush Wilson was an American activist
. Wilson broke many barriers as an African-American woman throughout her professional career. Born in St. Louis, Missouri
, she successfully managed a St. Louis law firm for over 40 years.
In the late 1930s, before Wilson was persuaded to think about becoming a lawyer, her home state of Missouri
did not allow blacks to attend its state-supported law schools. The state paid tuition stipends for residents of color to attend out-of-state schools, although African-American lawyers were allowed to practice law in Missouri once they had graduated and passed the bar
. The state’s discrimination against blacks seeking a legal education was challenged by the NAACP in Gaines v. Canada, 305 U.S. 337 (1938). In that case, the Supreme Court
ruled that Missouri must allow Lloyd Gaines to attend the University of Missouri
Law School or else provide “separate, but equal” law school facilities for him and other black students. Rather than integrate, Missouri created Lincoln University of Missouri School of Law. Wilson was in the second class, which had one other woman enrolled. She passed the bar and was the second woman of color admitted to practice in Missouri.
In 1946, Wilson’s father, James T. Bush, a real estate broker, was instrumental in helping the J.D. Shelley family buy a home. The family was later ordered out of the home when the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the racial restrictive covenant governing the property was enforceable. As a young lawyer, Mrs. Wilson was counsel for the Real Estate Brokers Association which was formed at her father's initiative to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court
. In 1948, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelley v. Kraemer
that such covenants were unenforceable in the courts.
In 1954, Wilson celebrated with colleagues and friends when the Brown vs. Board of Education decision was handed down. The next year, her five-year-old son started kindergarten at one of the city’s first integrated schools.
Wilson’s professional experience included serving as United States Attorney for the Rural Electrification Administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Assistant Attorney General
of Missouri. She was Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors, having served nine terms in that office. She was Board Chair of two historically African-American colleges, St. Augustine's College
and Talladega
, and also served on numerous boards for national companies and nonprofit organizations. She was also a trustee-emeritae of Washington University in St. Louis and Webster University
, Wilson was Chair of Law Day 2000 for the American Bar Association.
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
. Wilson broke many barriers as an African-American woman throughout her professional career. Born in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, she successfully managed a St. Louis law firm for over 40 years.
In the late 1930s, before Wilson was persuaded to think about becoming a lawyer, her home state of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
did not allow blacks to attend its state-supported law schools. The state paid tuition stipends for residents of color to attend out-of-state schools, although African-American lawyers were allowed to practice law in Missouri once they had graduated and passed the bar
Bar examination
A bar examination is an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction.-Brazil:...
. The state’s discrimination against blacks seeking a legal education was challenged by the NAACP in Gaines v. Canada, 305 U.S. 337 (1938). In that case, the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
ruled that Missouri must allow Lloyd Gaines to attend the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Law School or else provide “separate, but equal” law school facilities for him and other black students. Rather than integrate, Missouri created Lincoln University of Missouri School of Law. Wilson was in the second class, which had one other woman enrolled. She passed the bar and was the second woman of color admitted to practice in Missouri.
In 1946, Wilson’s father, James T. Bush, a real estate broker, was instrumental in helping the J.D. Shelley family buy a home. The family was later ordered out of the home when the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the racial restrictive covenant governing the property was enforceable. As a young lawyer, Mrs. Wilson was counsel for the Real Estate Brokers Association which was formed at her father's initiative to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
. In 1948, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelley v. Kraemer
Shelley v. Kraemer
Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 U.S. 1 , is a United States Supreme Court case which held that courts could not enforce racial covenants on real estate.-Facts of the case:...
that such covenants were unenforceable in the courts.
In 1954, Wilson celebrated with colleagues and friends when the Brown vs. Board of Education decision was handed down. The next year, her five-year-old son started kindergarten at one of the city’s first integrated schools.
Wilson’s professional experience included serving as United States Attorney for the Rural Electrification Administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Assistant Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of Missouri. She was Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors, having served nine terms in that office. She was Board Chair of two historically African-American colleges, St. Augustine's College
St. Augustine's College (Raleigh)
Saint Augustine's College is a historically black college located in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. The college was founded in 1867 in Raleigh, North Carolina by prominent Episcopal clergy for the education of freed slaves.- History :...
and Talladega
Talladega College
- External Links :* -- Official web site*...
, and also served on numerous boards for national companies and nonprofit organizations. She was also a trustee-emeritae of Washington University in St. Louis and Webster University
Webster University
Webster University is an American non-profit private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools...
, Wilson was Chair of Law Day 2000 for the American Bar Association.