Dr. Gwendolyn Bookman: How One Legal Scholar and Professor Unconsciously Made History and Set New Standards for Rising Women in Political Science
Women's History Month is a time to honor those who have paved the way in every field–including the legal sphere. Today's feature article highlights Dr. Gwendolyn M. Bookman, whose journey began as a briefing attorney and evolved into a career of impact in academia, proving that leadership and influence are not confined to a linear path as a woman.
Dr. Gwendolyn McLaughlin Bookman (1947-Present) was the first Black woman to clerk as a briefing attorney under Justice Jack Pope at the Supreme Court of Texas in 1978-1979. She was the only African American and one of only three women selected to support the court for the one-year appointment. A graduate of two HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Bookman received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and her Juris Doctorate from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, TX.
It was at the latter that she was recruited to be a participant for the clerkship at the Texas Supreme Court, which she credits as having been as a result of early DEI efforts following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling of affirmative action in 1965. When asked to share her opinion about the decline of affirmative action and DEI today, she said: “I am saddened to see how it has fared lately [...] and to hear that politicians believe the time has passed for a need to continue ‘leveling the playing field’ [or] that diversity, equity, and inclusion are ‘passe’”. Bookman also likens her personal choice to attend both HBCUs over a PWI as a critical factor of the times: “[I]n 1964 when I graduated high school, many [colleges and universities] had not readily admitted Black students”.
Originally hailing from North Carolina, Bookman moved to Texas to further her education, initially intending to pursue either psychology or sociology at the graduate level. However, after collaborating in an interdisciplinary public health and mental wellness project with lawyers and law students at TSU’s Urban Resource Center, Bookman quickly switched her concentration from a master’s degree in public affairs to a JD in law. “I had never been around folk in the legal profession before.” She recalls. “That experience convinced me that law was a field I could study and do well in. Prior to that, I had never thought about studying law.”
When reflecting on her personal experience as a lawyer after working in the field for approximately 47 years, Bookman replied: “[I have] no real regrets. Yes, [there are] paths not taken that I have pondered, but I am pleased (in general) with the journey I have taken.” She continues, “It’s the best career of all! Law impacts every aspect of life. You cannot go wrong studying the law. However, it’s not for the faint of heart! Studying law is a commitment and not to be taken lightly.”
And Bookman’s journey into the legal profession was not without hardship. During her first year of law school at TSU in June of 1975, she tragically lost her husband of ten years to suicide. This left her as a single parent with a 7-year-old son to raise. “[It] was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to go through.” She reflects. Having only the summer to mourn her loved one, Bookman immersed herself in her studies when school began. With the help of her family, she chose to focus instead on taking care of and being a positive role model to the sole motivating force in her life at that time: her son. “Life constantly presents ‘obstacles’ of various sorts. The question is not whether you face them, but rather how severe they are and how you face them.”
Given some relief by her husband’s insurance, Bookman used the financial support to provide for them both while in school. “All I had to do was take care of my son and study. And I think that’s probably what led to the success that I had in law school.” She reminisces, “I studied and I worked [hard], but I loved it… It was not a chore for me. I don’t think I considered myself struggling; the struggle was to stay focused after my husband died, but [I did not] struggle over the material.” Upon graduating magna cum laude from law school in 1978 as the highest ranking female in her class, Bookman was offered the opportunity to take a position as an Assistant District Attorney in the DA’s Office in Houston where she would have undoubtedly made history as the first Black woman in that position had she not already chosen to take an alternative path as a briefing attorney at the Texas Supreme Court: “There were many areas in the legal profession in Texas where people of color had not yet achieved when I graduated from law school in 1978.”
To all the Black youth who are making firsts in their fields of expertise as she did, Bookman gives this advice: “Know yourself and what you want out of life. It may be more difficult to have aspirations in a field where no one like you has been before, but others have done it and so can you! Follow your dreams, they just might come true!” Bookman’s responsibilities as a briefing attorney involved advising the primary judge regarding assigned cases, making oral and written presentations to the full court, and researching and writing several first draft opinions. Additionally, she received the honor of being admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
After working for a year as a Law Associate at McDonald & Associates (1979-1980), Dr. Bookman went on to pursue a career in academia where she found applying her legal expertise to be more fulfilling than the call to court. At her alma mater TSU, she worked briefly as a Law Instructor (1980-1982) and as an Assistant Dean for Student Affairs (1982-1984). Bookman has also served as a legal advisor to four women presidents at different Black private liberal arts colleges such as Spelman College and Morris Brown College. She has even worked in two positions at Harvard University; one in the School of Law’s Office of the Dean of Students as a Senior Student Affairs Coordinator (1988-1989) and another in the Office of the Assistant to the President as a Training and Policy Research Coordinator (1986-1988).
Outside of her work, Dr. Bookman is most passionate about global engagement. She loves to travel, having visited and studied abroad in over 30 countries – such as Austria, Benin, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Czech Republic, England, France, Ghana, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Senegal, Spain, South Africa, the Caribbean, the Netherlands, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Venezuela and Zanzibar among others – as a Fulbright scholar and through her globally-focused community service work with the Sister Cities of Durham where she has served as the chair of the board.
She has also been the chair of the New Cities Committee and is currently the co-chair of the Arusha (TZ) Committee. In regards to her extensive travel adventures, Bookman shares her philosophy, encouraging others to also go out and explore other countries: “We live in such an interdependent world that I find it difficult to consider a person truly educated who has not had rather extensive exposure to others from other cultures.” She adds, “I believe travel is an antidote to bigotry. Minimally, you learn that ‘your way of life’ is just ‘one way’, not the only way.”
Currently, Dr. Bookman is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Bennett College, one of only two HBCUs for Black women in the U.S. In this role, she teaches a variety of law and globally-focused courses, advises pre-law students, and oversees the Student Code of Conduct as a judicial officer. Bookman also revealed that through her work she’s had the opportunity to interact with several prominent Civil Rights activists including Derrick Bell, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Stacey Abrams, Cornel West, Mayard Jackson, Charles Ogletree Jr., and Johnnetta Cole who she wholeheartedly adores as her mentor.
Bookman has worked in several administrative positions advancing equal rights in higher education. For instance, in the Office of the President at Wellesley College she served as an Affirmative Action Officer in addition to being an Assistant to the President (1989-1993). When reflecting on the fact that making firsts continues to be a normalized reality for the Black community, Bookman expressed a mix of dismay and conviction. She says, “Unfortunately, there are still glass ceilings to be broken. Perhaps we might wish that folk of color (and women!) are sitting at all of the tables and are in all of the rooms where decisions are being made, but we know that is not the case. We must continue the fight!”
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I found this article fascinating. It's extremely inspiring to read about her life and listen to her story. Great read!
This interview was the epitome of a woman of color who rose above all odds to achieve heights that surpassed her expectations. I enjoyed reading and listening to her life history.
Very insightful!