Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander (1898 - 1989) was the first African-American to receive a Ph.D in Economics. She earned her Ph.d in 1921. Despite this, the racial climate of the day prevented Dr. Alexander from receiving a job in the economics field. She was only able to work as an actuary.
The inability to work in economics led Dr. Alexander to pursue law. A true trailblazer, she was the first woman to receive a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Nevertheless Dr. Alexander devoted much of her adult life to civil rights and human rights, mainly through her law practice. She continues to be an inspiration today to many who want to break through barriers in economics and law.
Her Legacy:
The Sadie Collective
Empowered by Dr. Alexander's Legacy, Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman and Fanta Traore co-founded The Sadie Collective— an organization meant to address the lack of Black women in economics and other related fields.
The Sadie Collective works to address and broaden visibility in the economics and related fields for Black women through networking, sharing resources, and advocacy.
Click below for more information on The Sadie Collective.
The Sadie Alexander Association is inspired by the long-lasting legacy of Alexander and the barriers she broke through for minorities and women. We hope to continue her legacy by making economics more welcoming to students here at Dartmouth.