Our namesake, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander (1898-1989) earned five degrees at the University of Pennsylvania, establishing a series of historical firsts along the way. She was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education in 1918, compiling a "clean sweep" of most distinguished grades in her senior year. Her talent and drive were so compelling that she was offered a prestigious University Scholarship to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where she earned the Master of Arts degree in 1919 and the Doctor of Philosophy in 1921, both in Economics. She was the first African American in the nation to earn a Ph.D. in Economics. Three year later, Sadie became the first African American woman to enroll in Penn’s Law School. Again she stood out among her peers. In 1926, in recognition of her high standing, the faculty named her an associate editor of the law review, another first and one of the highest honors a law student can earn. She graduated in 1927 and passed the Pennsylvania bar examination, yet another first for African American women. In 1974, she was awarded her fifth degree at the University of Pennsylvania, an honorary doctor of laws degree. This was the first of seven such honors by colleges and universities around the country.
Our namesake, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander (1898-1989) earned five degrees at the University of Pennsylvania, establishing a series of historical firsts along the way. She was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education in 1918, compiling a "clean sweep" of most distinguished grades in her senior year. Her talent and drive were so compelling that she was offered a prestigious University Scholarship to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where she earned the Master of Arts degree in 1919 and the Doctor of Philosophy in 1921, both in Economics. She was the first African American in the nation to earn a Ph.D. in Economics. Three year later, Sadie became the first African American woman to enroll in Penn’s Law School. Again she stood out among her peers. In 1926, in recognition of her high standing, the faculty named her an associate editor of the law review, another first and one of the highest honors a law student can earn. She graduated in 1927 and passed the Pennsylvania bar examination, yet another first for African American women. In 1974, she was awarded her fifth degree at the University of Pennsylvania, an honorary doctor of laws degree. This was the first of seven such honors by colleges and universities around the country.