The first book to bring together the key writings and speeches of civil rights activist Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander dash;the first Black American economist
In 1921, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander became the first Black American to gain a Ph.D. degree in economics. Unable to find employment as an economist because of discrimination, Alexander became a lawyer so that she could press for equal rights for African Americans. Although her historical significance has been relatively ignored, Alexander was a pioneering civil rights activist who used both the law and economic analysis to challenge racial inequities and deprivations.
This volumeodash;a recovery of Sadie Alexandercsquo;s economic thought,dash;provides a comprehensive account of her thought-provoking speeches and writings on the relationship between democracy, race, and justice. Nina Bankshsquo;s introductions bring fresh insight into the events and ideologies that underpinned Alexanderfsquo;s outlook and activism. A brilliant intellectual, Alexander called for bold, redistributive policies that would ensure racial justice for Black Americans while also providing a foundation to safeguard democracy.