First African-American female to receive a law degree from the University of Mississippi and integrate the Mississippi Bar Association. She has filed and won several lawsuits to secure basic civil liberties for African-Americans. In 1970, she filed Morrow v.Crisler (Highway Patrol Desegregation lawsuit) making it possible for African-Americans to become highway patrolmen in the state of Mississippi. She defended the families of Phillip Gibbs and James Earl Green, students who were killed as a result of police brutality during civil rights demonstrations on the campus of Jackson State University, and served as one of the original attorneys in the Jake Ayers vs. State of Mississippi (1976) lawsuit to provide equal funding to the state's historically black colleges.

Served on the Governor's Minority Advisory Committee under Governor William Waller (1974). Appointed Regional Presidential Team Coordinator for party nominee Jimmy Carter (1976). After his election, appointed by President Jimmy Carter as a Presidential Scholars Commissioner (1978).