(Photo by Shannon Schultz, courtesy of Michigan Supreme Court)
Prior to the Michigan Supreme Court’s (MSC) annual oral argument at the State Capitol on Wednesday, October 4, Justice Kyra H. Bolden joined with state Sen. Sarah Anthony (21st Senate District) and state Rep. Joe Tate (10th House District) in a moment of historical significance that symbolizes enduring diversity and equality in Michigan. Bolden, the MSC’s first Black woman justice; Sen. Anthony, the first Black woman chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; and Rep. Tate, the first Black speaker of the House, posed for a photograph next to the portrait of Michigan’s first Black state legislator: William Webb Ferguson.
“Representative Ferguson made history 133 years ago when he and his attorney, Augustus Straker, successfully appealed Ferguson v Gies, in front of the Supreme Court in this very room,” said Bolden, standing in the Old Supreme Court Courtroom that now serves as the Senate Appropriations Room. “His portrait and his place in our history hold immense significance for me because I am seeing firsthand the evolution toward a more inclusive and welcoming environment. While I wish Rep. Ferguson could have witnessed our ‘firsts,’ his presence is strongly felt because it was his courage and commitment to equality that paved the way for the three of us to stand here today.”
In the appeal of Ferguson v Gies, the Supreme Court ruled that separation by race in public places was illegal in what became known as “Michigan’s Great Civil Rights Case.” That win led to Ferguson’s eventual pursuit of a law career, as well as his ascent to becoming Michigan’s first Black legislator. His portrait was dedicated in 2018.
