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CONTINUING A LEGACY OF SERVICE TRAILBLAZING ATTORNEY AND JUDGE CONSTANCE SLAUGHTER- HARVEY NAMED ALUMNA OF THE YEAR FOR HER CONTINUED SUPPORT OF STUDENTS University of Mississippi alumna Constance Slaughter-Harvey has been named the School of Law‘s Alumna of the Year, becoming the first African American female to receive the award. She accepted the award July 15 at the UM Law Alumni Luncheon during the Mississippi Bar‘s annual meeting in Sandestin, Florida. The award has been presented annually by the Alumni Association’s Law Alumni Chapter since 1974. Bestowed upon an alum who has encouraged excellence in legal education and has actively participated in the betterment of the school, the award is one of the top honors given by the law school and Alumni Association. “When I say I was honored, that’s an understatement,” Slaughter- Harvey said. “On four occasions, the law school has recognized me and each time, I feel the sacrifices made by my parents, their prayers and the support I was given. “When I get an honor by the university, I don’t think about me – I’m just a vessel. I don’t accept it for me, but for my parents, my family, my law school roommate and those who supported me.” Slaughter-Harvey has spent her life as a trailblazer. Originally from Forest, she completed her undergraduate degree at Tougaloo College, where she was elected the first female student body president. In 1970, she became the first African American female graduate of the UM School of Law. In an effort to create a space and system of support for Black students in law school, she joined students from across the country as a founding member of National Black Law Students Association, or BLSA, when it formed at Rutgers University in 1968. “I could’ve been a straight-A student, but that wasn’t my priority,” she said. “My priority was to change things so the students who came after me didn’t have to experience the way I was treated. “I see so much change, but I know we still have a long way to go. I’m so proud of Dean (Susan) Duncan’s commitment to doing the right thing and leading the school toward more diversity and inclusion initiatives.” Inspired to attend law school by Medgar Evers, Slaughter-Harvey began her career with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to advocate for the rights of others. In 1976, she became the first African American female to be appointed as a judge in Mississippi. Her career path has also included working as director of human 27