How a holiday in Alaska led Mahala Dickerson to claim 160 acres and become its first Black lawyer

Mahala Ashley Dickerson broke several barriers during her six-decade legal career. Born in Alabama in 1912, she became the state’s first Black female lawyer in 1948 before moving to Alaska. In 1958, she became Alaska’s first Black homesteader and later its first Black lawyer. Her career included major discrimination cases, legal honours and an autobiography.

By TOI World Desk