On August 24, 1950, Edith Sampson, a Chicago attorney, made history as the first Black representative (alternate delegate) in the U.S. delegation to the United Nations. She was a pioneering lawyer, civil rights advocate, and diplomat, breaking racial and gender barriers throughout her career.
Sampson’s appointment was a significant milestone, as it reflected a shift toward greater inclusivity in U.S. diplomacy during the early years of the Cold War. She used her platform at the UN to promote democracy and challenge Soviet propaganda about racial inequality in America. Later, she continued to break barriers by becoming the first Black woman elected as a judge in the U.S.
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