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Brief
Dr. Mossell (1898-1989), hailing from the distinguished Mossell and Tanner family lines, was an attorney, civic servant, economist, and humanitarian. She was the first Black woman to graduate from University of Penn Law School and the first Black woman admitted to the Pennsylvania bar (1927). She was also the first Black person to earn a Ph.D. in Economics in the United States (University of Pennsylvania, 1921),1 and the first National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Collections & Papers
Penn Libraries, University of Pennsylvania, University Archives & Records Center | Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Papers
UPT 50 A374S. This collection is a Gift of the Alexander Family. It contains articles, resumes, interview materials, materials from her legal practice, clippings; personal, professional and family correspondence, financial records, M street high school material, papers from her civic and social groups, writings, speeches, publications, honors and awards, audio visual material, family and genealogy records, and books.
Attributions
Attributions
Attributions
Birth
Death
Resting Place
Language(s)
Spouse(s)
Raymond Pace Alexander (m. 1923)
Partner(s)
Relatives
➣Dr. Virginia Margaret Alexander (sister-in-law)
➣Aaron Albert Mossell II (Father & first Black person to graduate from University of Pennsylvania Law School);
➣Nathan Francis Mossell (Paternal Uncle & first Black person to graduate from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine);
➣Gertrude Bustill Mossell (Aunt by Marriage to paternal uncle Nathan Francis Mossell);
➣Lewis Baxter Moore (Uncle by marriage to maternal aunt Sadie Elizabeth Tanner, the first Black person to earn a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, and Dean of Howard University's Teacher's College);
➣Halle Tanner Dillion Johnson (Maternal Aunt & The first woman physician in Alabama);
➣Henry Ossawa Tanner (Maternal Uncle & Artist)
Associate(s)
Alma Mater
Influenced
Influenced By
Did You Know?
Colleague(s)
Collaborator(s)
Children
Awards & Honors
Parents
Occupation
Certification(s)
License(s)
Education
Organization(s)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (First National President, 1919-1923)
Appointment(s)
Notable Works
Notable Performances
Notable Moments
Military Rank/Branch
Years of Service
Political Affiliation
Associations
Genre(s)
Preceptors
Legacy
Thesis
Books
Website
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