Last week, we recognized Hispanic Heritage Month. This week, before September concludes, we are celebrating National Deaf Awareness Month. Both are annual observances of the history, culture, and contributions of the communities they honor. An additional focus of this post is the importance of effective communication when interacting with the justice system. It includes resources for law enforcement and the court system to use in providing more accessible channels of communication for everyone.
Read moreA Sign of Our History - Honoring the Legacy of Robert W. Hainsworth
Beginning this week, visitors to the Law Library will pass beneath a reminder of Harris County’s civil rights history and a leader who pressed for equal access to the law for all.
Read moreLucy Burns: Fanning the Suffrage Flames
March is Irish-American Heritage Month as well as Women’s History Month. As discussed in our Ex Libris Juris blog post on 3/8/2021, the Women’s History Month theme for 2021 is “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced.” In recognition of all these things, today’s post features famous Irish-American suffragist Lucy Burns.
Read moreA Brief Biography of Lillian D. Wald, Public Health Progressive (1867-1940)
Lillian Wald. , ca. 1920. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017647294/.
Continuing our recognition of Women’s History Month, today’s post features Lillian Wald (1867-1940), who worked during the American Progressive Era (1896-1916). Wald was a nurse and public health advocate, who also “lobbied for parks and playgrounds, worked to elect reform candidates, advocated for decent housing conditions, and supported the struggle for worker’s rights, women’s rights, and children’s rights.”
Read moreHarris County Law Library Renamed to Honor Civil Rights Leader Robert W. Hainsworth
Robert W. Hainsworth, Attorney
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Houston, TX (February 9, 2021) — Today, Harris County Commissioners Court adopted a resolution, introduced by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and led by Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee, to rename the Harris County Law Library in honor of Robert W. Hainsworth.
In 1951, Mr. Hainsworth filed a lawsuit challenging the “one-table rule,” which was a Law Library rule requiring African-American attorneys to use a single, designated table while working in the library. While the courts denied his call for equality, it is only fitting that the Law Library be rededicated to acknowledge the victory of his vision. Today’s Law Library is a place where everyone has a seat at any table.
“Mr. Hainsworth’s determination in the fight for equality is an inspiration for us all, especially those attorneys and self-represented litigants who so often use the Law Library,” County Attorney Menefee said. “He was a trailblazer. His work on this case and in later founding the Houston Lawyers Association shows that he was relentless.”
“I am very proud to support renaming the Harris County Law Library after Robert W. Hainsworth, especially during Black History Month,” said County Commissioner Ellis. “Hainsworth’s fight to desegregate the courthouse and law library paved the way for generations after him. It is only fitting that we would name our law library, which helps to make the legal system more accessible to all, in his honor.”
“We are planning projects with community partners to create a permanent exhibit in the library and to offer educational programs to raise awareness about Robert W Hainsworth and his work for equality in Harris County,” said Law Library Director Mariann Sears.
Today’s Law Library rededication was widely supported by local leaders and legal organizations at Commissioners Court, including the Houston Lawyers Association (HLA), the Houston Young Lawyers Association, the Houston Area Law Librarians, the Houston Bar Association (HBA), HLA president R.J. Blue, HBA president Bill Kroger, and several former HLA leaders.
About the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library
The Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library opened its doors in 1915 as the Harris County Law Library, and it has continued to serve Harris County’s legal information needs for more than a century. After becoming a part of the Office of the Harris County Attorney in 2011, the Law Library greatly expanded its technology offerings and services to the public. Visit www.harriscountylawlibrary.org for more information.
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