I have seen this photo posted several times on Facebook over the years. The cover story, entitled "Women Lawyers To Aid Mississippi 'Freedom Corps'", appeared in the July 9, 1964 issue of Jet magazine.
The cover photo shows two of Detroit's own, attorneys Claudia Shropshire and Anna Diggs. In my career I appeared before them both, Judge Claudia House Morcom of the Wayne County Circuit Court, and Judge Anna Diggs Taylor of the US District Court, Eastern Division in Detroit.
I was able to hunt down the actual article and have posted screen shots below. Although the writing style is perhaps indicative of another time, what does come through is the risk these lawyers faced in their fight for justice for their clients. The personal danger was real.
I realize that I did not fully appreciate the challenges many of my judges encountered before they wore the black robe. I am sure they loved hearing the likes of me bitch about overdue interrogatory responses.
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