George B. Vashon was one of Black history’s most prominent lawyers. He was a scholar, a poet and an abolitionist in the battle against slavery.

In addition, he was the first Black graduate of Oberlin College; the first Black lawyer in New York State and the first Black professor at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

However, there was one goal Vashon never achieved. Despite meeting the qualifications, he was twice rejected from practicing law in his home state of Pennsylvania because he was Black.

But last week, more than 160 after he applied for admittance to the Pennsylvania bar, he was posthumously admitted.

It took an order from the state Supreme Court to achieve what should have occurred in 1847. (Taylor Media Services – www.blacknewsjournal.net)