A Trailblazer for Civil Rights and Justice
Dovey Johnson Roundtree, born Dovey Mae Johnson on April 17, 1914, in Charlotte, North Carolina, was a remarkable figure in American history. As an African American civil rights activist, attorney, and ordained minister, she played a pivotal role in shaping the fight against racial segregation and advancing equality in the United States. Her life was defined by resilience, determination, and a commitment to justice.
Dovey Johnson Roundtree was the second oldest of four children born to James Elliot Johnson, a printer affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and Lela Bryant Johnson, a domestic worker and seamstress. Growing up in the segregated South, Roundtree witnessed firsthand the injustices faced by African Americans, experiences that would later fuel her activism. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, from 1934 to 1938. After earning her degree, she briefly worked as a teacher in South Carolina before moving to Washington, D.C., during World War II to seek employment in the defense industry. Her path took a significant turn when Mary McLeod Bethune, a prominent educator and civil rights leader, selected her as one of forty African American women to train as officers in the newly established Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). This opportunity marked the beginning of Roundtree’s trailblazing career.
During World War II, Roundtree served as an officer in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), breaking barriers as one of the first African American women in that role. Following her service, she worked with the Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC), which aimed to address racial discrimination in wartime industries. In 1947, Roundtree enrolled at Howard University School of Law. There, she studied under prominent legal figures such as Thurgood Marshall, who would later become the first African American Supreme Court Justice. She graduated in 1950 and began practicing law at a time when few African American women were attorneys.
Roundtree’s most significant legal contribution came in 1955 with the case of Sarah Keys v. The Carolina Coach Company. The case involved Sarah Louise Keys, an African American private in the Women’s Army Corps who was forced to give up her seat to a white Marine on an interstate bus in North Carolina. This incident resonated deeply with Roundtree, as she had experienced similar discrimination during her military service. Roundtree and her law partner Julius Winfield Robertson brought the case before the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). On November 7, 1955, the ICC ruled that segregation in interstate bus travel was unconstitutional. This decision directly challenged the “separate but equal” doctrine established by the 1896 Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson. Although enforcement of the ruling was delayed until 1961, it became a critical precedent for the Freedom Riders’ campaign and ultimately contributed to ending segregation in interstate travel.
In addition to her civil rights work, Roundtree made headlines for her role in a high-profile criminal case. In 1964, Ray Crump Jr., an African American laborer, was accused of murdering Mary Pinchot Meyer, a socialite and alleged mistress of President John F. Kennedy. Despite intense public scrutiny and racial bias, Roundtree successfully defended Crump. She argued that his limited mental capacity and small physical stature made it unlikely he committed the crime. The not-guilty verdict raised questions about Meyer’s murder and fueled speculation about possible CIA involvement. Roundtree’s dedication to justice extended beyond the courtroom. In 1961, she became one of the first women ordained as a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She also broke racial barriers by joining the previously all-white Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia in 1962. Throughout her career, she was a prominent advocate for youth and community development in Washington, D.C., continuing this work even after retiring from active legal practice in 1996.
Dovey Johnson Roundtree passed away on May 21, 2018, in her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, at the age of 104. Her life and career left an indelible mark on the civil rights movement and the legal profession. Through her groundbreaking legal victories, advocacy for equality, and unwavering faith, she paved the way for future generations to continue the fight for justice. Roundtree’s legacy is a testament to her courage and determination in challenging systemic racism and inequality. Her work remains an inspiration to those who strive for a more just and equitable society.