Educational Event Project Jane Matilda Bolin

1. Educational Event ProjectJane Matilda Bolin By: Sara Becerra Terrance Neaman Boya Han Daniela Maldonado

2. “From The Start”Mrs. Jane Matilda BolinIntroduction • “It is easy to imagine how a young, protected child who sees portrayals of brutality is forever scarred and becomes determined to contribute in her own small way to social justice,”(Bolin,1978) she wrote in a letter at the time of her retirement in December 1978. • Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, on April 11, 1908 a time when women, particularly African American women were given little to no respect in their conventional twentieth century society. • Her scholarly disposition set her apart, at a young age, from her female peers. • Honorable Bolin’s life was a profound series of events, that consisted of fearlessness, determination and movement, to life as we know it.

3. HistoryDaughter of the Empire State • Graduated from high school at 16 • Attended Wellesley Woman’s College. • Struggled with social hostilities and bullying from both students and teachers. • Was told to not pursue a law career, and just to become a teacher, along with other African American women. • First African American woman to graduate from Yale Law School. • She became the first black woman to hold the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel of the City of New York. • Appointed as the Domestic Relations Court, making her the Nation’s first African American judge.

4. Jane Matilda Bolin’sPurpose • The first to join the New York City Bar Association, and the first to work in the office of the New York City. • Mr. Bolin, who was the first black graduate of Williams College, had his own legal practice and was president of the Dutchess County Bar Association. • At Yale, Ms. Bolin was one of three women in her class and the only black person. • She was outspoken on civil rights issues of many kinds.

5. Argument • Not caring about gender or race she was going to accomplish what seemed to be impossible in the early 1900’s when racism was practiced commonly. In my opinion, by putting myself in this educational event I believe that I also would have experienced the same hardship of going to school at this point in time. Coming from an ethnic background I don’t really know if I would even have the opportunity to go to school, unless you have the drive and determination that Mrs. Bolin had, nothing is really impossible. That is why she is so admirable and motivating for the next generation to come after hers. • Honorable Jane Bolin encountered many conflicts when given the opportunity to serve on the NAACP board. An organization in which she and many of her country men held in high regard. This organizations mission statement was in a sense to “Make the World a better place”. The NAACP is an organization that encourages humanity to come together and envelope each other through communication and an opportunity to learn from each other’s cultures.   • Mrs. Jane Bolin’s expected agenda as a board member was particularly different from the agenda she had given herself. One might say the NAACP was using Bolin for her name and title. She felt for years while observing and criticizing the organization that improvements could be made, but saw that they did not encourage vocalizing concerns or suggestions about the progress and the direction in which the organization could be driven for the future. • So that was another problem that Bolin encountered in the one organization that she thought that she could trust. I feel like the NAACP were abusing her power and not using her talents in a productive way. In my opinion I think the NAACP organization were taking advantage of her and I think that she could have changed how the board members progressed the organization, or she could have also voiced her opinion.

6. Personal RelationDaniela Maldonado’s She educated herself in a way that made her invincible. She was a woman of many firsts, and will be recognized and glorified by generations to come. People will continue to benefit from her determination to make the world a better place. I am a multiracial women and I will continue to set an example for those who need to be heard and recognized. Jane Matilda Bolin paved the way and we must continue and progress with it.

7. Personal Relation:Boya Han • For this relation I will talk about my life. I am a Chinese person; I will encounter a lot of problems when I came to United States. Now, there are many Chinese students like me. China belongs to the exam-oriented education, but the United States is the open education.For example in Chinese classroom we will listen to teacher speaking and take notes. But in here we pay attention to class discussion actively, development train of thought.Otherwise we are not used to discuss the problem in class, if we have question we usually talk to teacher after class.In here we have a place named Chinatown. We can feel the Chinese culture here. Such as the food, language or games.

8. Personal Relation:Terrance Neaman • In todays world I don’t think that a lot of people realize how far we have come with everything. But specifically education, researching and writing this paper about Mrs. Jane Bolin made me think about how hard of a struggle it was to be a person of ethnic background to go to college and graduate. She is really inspirational when you put yourself in her shoes, going day by day being put down mentally and physically by your class mates and professors. That’s when you can let something break you or make you stronger, Bolin was really determined and driven to reach her goals. Today I appreciate the opportunities I am given to be in college in my generation.

9. Personal Relation Sara Becerra She pioneered the way for women to continue their education and follow their dreams. Whether they are women of a different color, religion, or single moms wanting to expand their knowledge. These opportunities are available to us because of the doors she opened with her determination and hard work. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"- Margaret Mead.

10. “In Thee End”Conclusion • An invigorated life well lived, till the young age of 98. • Judge Bolin was the first black woman to graduate from Yale School of Law. • The first women to join the New York City Bar Association. • The first women to work in the office of the New York City corporation counsel. • Up until her last days she found the time and commitment to serve her community. • Her drive and determination to make changes in a world filled with horrific discrimination’s, far exceeded the expectations of “The White Man”. • Her later years were filled with gusto and reverence a truly honorable example for us all to live by.

11. Works Cited • Martin, Douglas. "Jane Bolin, the Country's First Black Woman to Become a Judge, Is Dead at 98." The New York Times. The New York Times, 09 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. • Bolin, n.d. Bolin, “Wellesly in my Life”. Retrieved April 10, 2014, from ; http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzU2OTY3OV9fQU41?sid=f5dcdefa-e9b4-4eaa-898e-01d3c0e45e38@sessionmgr4001&vid=1&format=EB&rid=1 • Bolin, n.d. Bolin, “Wellesly in my Life”. Retrieved April 10, 2014, from ;http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/Judge%20Jane%20Brolin.htm • Karen Berger Morello, The Invisible Bar: The Woman Lawyer in America 1638 to the Present (New York: Random House, 1986), especially chap. 6 (145). • Jane Matilda Bolin. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 06:12, Apr 20, 2014, from http://www.biography.com/people/jane-bolin-21366813. • Harvard Style • Jane Matilda Bolin. [Internet]. 2014. The Biography.com website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/jane-bolin-21366813 [Accessed 20 Apr 2014]. • "Jane Matilda Bolin." 2014. The Biography.com website. Apr 20 2014 http://www.biography.com/people/jane-bolin-21366813.