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IT'S #JUNETEENTH2020 
so let me introduce y'all to America's first Black economist & my INSPIRATION:
Dr. Sadie T. M. Alexander, who earned her PhD in Economics in 1921 @Penn-- civil rights pioneer, first Natl president @dstinc1913, economist, lawyer, and activist.
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so let me introduce y'all to America's first Black economist & my INSPIRATION: Dr. Sadie T. M. Alexander, who earned her PhD in Economics in 1921 @Penn-- civil rights pioneer, first Natl president @dstinc1913, economist, lawyer, and activist.
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Dr. Alexander was born into a family of firsts- her relatives made history in art, medicine, education, etc.
Black excellence was in her blood.
And she was a product of her environment despite #Juneteenth happening just 30 years prior.
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Black excellence was in her blood.
And she was a product of her environment despite #Juneteenth
happening just 30 years prior. 2/6
At @Penn, she earned her Bachelors & Masters degrees in Education in 3 years. She made history when she earned her PhD in Economics, becoming the FIRST Black recipient of the degree.
She desired to use economics to expand civil rights for African-Americans and minorities.
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She desired to use economics to expand civil rights for African-Americans and minorities.
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But when Alexander received her PhD, economists blackballed her... because racism and sexism.
She couldn't find a job ANYWHERE y'all which eventually led her to go back to school for law.
In 1927, she became @Penn first Black woman law school graduate. #SlightWork
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She couldn't find a job ANYWHERE y'all which eventually led her to go back to school for law.
In 1927, she became @Penn first Black woman law school graduate. #SlightWork
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For the rest of her life, Alexander was a champion for civil rights:
- She marched in Selma, AL
- She supported Black liberation
- She desegregated the military
- She co-organized @nationalbar
and *SO* much more.
She lived & breathed #BlackLivesMatter
. Truly iconic.
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- She marched in Selma, AL
- She supported Black liberation
- She desegregated the military
- She co-organized @nationalbar
and *SO* much more.
She lived & breathed #BlackLivesMatter
. Truly iconic.5/6
Dr. Alexander's legacy in economics lives on through the work of @Nina_EBanks, who has unearthed the economics of Dr. Alexander via her speeches, and @SadieCollective, which honors her by fostering community for BW in economics and related fields.
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On a personal note, it is my deepest desire to be half of the woman, mother, economist, activist, and leader that Dr. Alexander was. I end with her words:
"I knew well that the only way I could get that door open was to knock it down; because I knocked all of them down."
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"I knew well that the only way I could get that door open was to knock it down; because I knocked all of them down."
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This thread is popping off so let me include some required listening for #JUNETEENTH2020 #JuneteenthDay: @theindicator featured ya girl and @Nina_EBanks in an episode dedicated to Dr. Alexander.
It is one of their most popular episodes to date.
https://twitter.com/theindicator/status/1099665553604706304?s=20
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#JuneteenthDay: @theindicator featured ya girl and @Nina_EBanks in an episode dedicated to Dr. Alexander. It is one of their most popular episodes to date.
https://twitter.com/theindicator/status/1099665553604706304?s=20
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If you are also interested in learning more about Dr. Alexander's upbringing and life within the economics context, @SadieCollective has compiled resources, @Nina_EBanks @drjlastword research, and her daughter's speech that speaks to her life!
https://www.sadiecollective.org/dr-sadie-t-m-alexander
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https://www.sadiecollective.org/dr-sadie-t-m-alexander
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I am really excited to know that SOOO many of y'all are interested in Dr. Alexander's story especially within economics.
Just know that something may be in the works.
Watch this space.
10/6
Just know that something may be in the works.
Watch this space.
10/6
