Philadelphia is preparing to honor one of its most remarkable figures with a new public monument: a statue of Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, the pioneering lawyer, economist, and civil rights advocate whose legacy helped shape both the city and the nation.
🔹 Who Was Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander?
Born in 1898, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander achieved a series of historic firsts. She became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in economics in the United States, as well as the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. In 1927, she became the first Black woman admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar.
Beyond her trailblazing academic and legal accomplishments, Alexander was a fierce advocate for civil rights, equal opportunity, and social justice. She served on President Harry S. Truman’s Committee on Civil Rights and was an active leader in numerous community and professional organizations throughout her life.
🔹 The Statue Project
In July 2025, Philadelphia announced that artist Vinnie Bagwell had been selected to design the statue. Bagwell’s piece, titled Philadelphia’s First Lady of the Law, will feature a nine-foot bronze figure of Alexander, celebrating her groundbreaking achievements and lasting influence.
The statue will be installed in Thomas Paine Plaza, across from City Hall — a fitting location symbolizing Alexander’s fight for justice and equality within the very heart of Philadelphia’s civic life. Installation is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.
🔹 Why This Matters
Public statues play a critical role in shaping how history is remembered. In a city with hundreds of monuments, relatively few honor women, and even fewer celebrate African American women. By memorializing Sadie Alexander, Philadelphia is not just recognizing her accomplishments but also affirming the importance of representation in public spaces.
For many, this statue will serve as an inspiration for future generations of women, lawyers, and leaders of color who see Alexander’s story reflected in bronze and know that barriers can be broken.
🔹 Legacy and Impact
Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander’s legacy extends far beyond her titles and firsts. She embodied perseverance, intellect, and courage in the face of systemic racism and sexism. Her life reminds us that the fight for equality requires both personal determination and structural change.
With this new statue, Philadelphia takes an important step toward honoring the trailblazers who made that fight possible.
