Elaine R. Jones

2002 Honoree

The daughter of a Pullman porter and a college-educated school teacher, Elaine R. Jones learned about the realities of racism and the importance of idealism from her parents.

In 1993, when Ms. Jones became the first woman to be appointed president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), she brought with her vast experience as a litigator and civil rights activist as well as a passion for fairness and equality. The LDF, which is not part of the NAACP, is the nation’s oldest law firm fighting for equal rights and justice for people of color, women and the poor.

After graduating with honors in political science from Howard University, Ms. Jones joined the Peace Corps and became one of the first African Americans to serve in Turkey. Following her two-year Peace Corps stint, she became the first African-American woman to enroll in the University of Virginia School of Law and, subsequently, the first to graduate.

Only two years out of law school, Ms. Jones was counsel of record in Furman v. Georgia, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that abolished the death penalty in 37 states for 12 years. As the legislative advocate in LDF’s Washington D.C. office, she played a key role in securing passage of legislative milestones such as the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982, Fair Housing Act of 1988, Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988 and Civil Rights Act of 1991.

Ms. Jones’ leadership in the struggle for equality has earned her numerous awards and honors. In 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton presented her with the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award. She is included among Ebony magazine’s 10 Most Powerful Black Women and 100+ Most Influential Black Americans for the year 2001.

Touting individuality, Ms. Jones offers invaluable advice to today’s youth: “If you let someone else set your standard, whether it’s physical appearance, academic achievement or economic success, then you will never be content with who you are. Your purpose should be to set your own standard, not to catch up or to beat out somebody else. Once you can really value your individuality, you have all you need.”