Elsie Austin was the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Cincinnati School of Law in 1930. She declared her belief in Baha’u’llah in 1934 and went on to become the first African-American woman to serve as assistant attorney general for the state of Ohio. For a decade afterward, she was a foreign service diplomat for the US Information Agency and worked tirelessly on cultural and educational projects in several African countries. From 1953 to 1957, she pioneered to Tangier, Morocco and served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of North and West Africa from 1953 to 1958. In 1957, Shoghi Effendi named her a Knight of Baha’u’llah.
This book gives a fictionalized account of Elsie Austin’s life based on the author’s research of and interviews with her. It is hoped that the reader will gain an appreciation for this champion of racial justice and how she rose during her lifetime to become a Change Maker.
Read an interview with the author, Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis
See other books in the Change Maker Series
The Story of Elsie Austin
This picture book biography introduces readers to Elsie Austin, a groundbreaking attorney, educator, and civil rights advocate. Etter-Lewis highlights Austin’s trailblazing journey as the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in the 1930s, and her lifelong fight against racial and gender discrimination. The narrative balances Austin’s personal determination with her larger impact as a lawyer, diplomat, and community leader, underscoring her role in advancing opportunities for women and people of color. Illustrations are dynamic and bold, reflecting Austin’s strength and dignity. Scenes of courtroom battles, international service, and quiet moments of reflection add depth to the storytelling, while the expressive artwork keeps young readers engaged. Back matter includes a timeline, glossary, and further resources, supporting classroom use and historical study. A compelling biography of a lesser-known but influential figure .