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Dianne Saulney Gaines (born September 29, 1940) is an American attorney and civic activist known for her contributions to the legal profession and civil rights advocacy. She is the first Black woman elected to the Florida Bar Board of Governors.
Dianne Gaines | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 29, 1940 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Xavier University Preparatory School Xavier University of Louisiana University of Miami School of Law (JD) |
| Occupations |
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| Spouses |
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| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) | René Saulney Anita Prevost Saulney |
Early life and education edit
Gaines was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 29, 1940, to René Saulney and Anita Prevost Saulney. During her time at Xavier University Preparatory School in 1957, she authored an opinion piece in The Louisiana Weekly discussing racial unrest in the South.[1] She attended Xavier University in New Orleans for her undergraduate studies.[2]
After completing her undergraduate education at Xavier University in 1962, she embarked on a career in teaching in Miami, Florida.[3] She left teaching after “[s]uffering a disparate wage system for black teachers.”[4] After the birth of her first child, she became a counselor for the Neighborhood Youth Corp, a federal work-study program aimed at providing employment opportunities to disadvantaged youth.[5]
Career and advocacy edit
Inspired by the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision and driven by a desire to fight for civil rights and equality, Gaines decided to pursue a legal education. In 1968, following the passage of the Fair Housing Act, she became the first Black realtor to work for the Keyes Company, a major realty company.[citation needed]
In 1977, Gaines enrolled in the University of Miami School of Law and earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1980. However, as of January, 2024 her standing was delinquent and she was not able to practice law in Florida.[6] Following her graduation, she worked as an assistant county attorney for the Miami-Dade County Attorney's Office.[7]
In 1985, Gaines founded the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, an organization empowering and supporting Black women in the legal profession by addressing issues of racial and gender discrimination within the legal community and promoting the professional development of Black women attorneys.[8] In 1993, Gaines became the first Black lawyer elected to the Florida Bar Board of Governors.[9]
In 1991, Gaines served as special counsel to Senator Bob Graham in Washington, D.C. In 1993, Graham named Gaines to chair the Southern District of Florida's Federal Judicial Nominating Commission.[10]
Personal life edit
In 1993, Gaines married author Ernest J. Gaines.[11] She has four children, Jonathan, Maria, Jennifer and Stephen, from an earlier marriage to John Andrew Smith, an artist.[3][12]
References edit
- ^ Saulney, Dianne (December 21, 1957). "Our Readers Write". The Louisiana Weekly. p. 11. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "12 are named to XU Dean's Honor Roll". The Louisiana Weekly. March 10, 1962. p. 5.
- ^ a b Sonnier, Cheramie (2016-02-18). "New Orleans native author to dine with Ernest J. Gaines and his wife". The Advocate. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ Florida's First Black Lawyers, 1980-1989 (2nd ed.). Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association. 2018.
- ^ "Baena wins runoff or seat on Florida Bar governing board". The Miami Herald. April 25, 1989. p. 192.
- ^ "Dianne Saulney Gaines". Lawyer Directory – The Florida Bar. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "'A Louisiana treasure': Acclaimed novelist Ernest Gaines dies at 86". NBC News. Associated Press. 2019-11-07. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association - About Us". gscbwla.org. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ "Legacy Gala honors the trailblazing black lawyers of the '80s". The Florida Bar. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "Graham names judge-selection panel". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ "Ernest and Me". Garden & Gun. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ Grossman, Cathy (September 28, 1980). "The Successful Shoulder Great Expectations". The Miami Herald. pp. 1G.