{"id":228305,"date":"2025-09-15T08:48:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T08:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/228305\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T08:48:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T08:48:17","slug":"penn-carey-law-unveils-new-fellowship-program-scholarship-honoring-sadie-alexander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/228305\/","title":{"rendered":"Penn Carey Law unveils new fellowship program, scholarship honoring Sadie Alexander"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

On Sept. 12, Penn Carey Law announced the launch of the Sadie T.M. Alexander Post-Graduate Fellowship for students working on a civil rights project.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Jean Park<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School has announced a new postgraduate fellowship in honor of civil rights activist Sadie Alexander \u2014 the school\u2019s first Black female graduate \u2014 following controversy surrounding the suspension of a previous program in her honor.\n<\/p>\n

The Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander Fellowship<\/a>, set to launch during in fall 2026, will provide two years of funding to Penn Carey Law graduates pursuing work that advances civil rights. According to the Sept. 12 announcement, the program will give special consideration to projects that address racial and economic justice and benefit communities in Philadelphia or Washington \u2014 reflecting Alexander\u2019s \u201cpioneering work\u201d and \u201cdeep ties to both cities.\u201d\n\t\t<\/p>\n

The new measures follow mounting criticism in response to Penn Carey Law\u2019s rollback of diversity initiatives. In August, the law school suspended<\/a> a full-tuition scholarship program<\/a> honoring Alexander, drawing criticism from local politicians, along with Penn students, faculty, and alumni.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThe University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School is strengthening its commitment to access, both to its innovative and interdisciplinary legal education and, for its graduates, to impactful careers of their choosing,\u201d the announcement read.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The fellowship will be offered alongside a full-tuition scholarship initiative<\/a> for incoming students in greatest need of financial support.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cTogether, [the fellowship and scholarship] affirm Penn Carey Law\u2019s dedication to reducing barriers to entry and ensuring that students\u2014regardless of financial circumstances\u2014can embark on their legal education and carry it forward into their choice of meaningful careers,\u201d the announcement continued.\n\t<\/p>\n

Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who previously criticized Penn\u2019s suspension of the scholarship, acknowledged her \u201chope\u201d for the new program in a written statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad Penn Law listened to our feedback, as well as that of its Black alumni, in restoring some initiatives that make the school more welcoming and inclusive,\u201d Gauthier wrote. \u201cI hope this is the start of a larger, university-wide recommitment to diversity.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

In an Aug. 7 statement<\/a> on LinkedIn, Gauthier described Penn\u2019s decision to cut the scholarship as a \u201ccowardly, short-sighted move [that] is as disappointing as it is immoral.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Alexander\u2019s work had far-reaching impact in public and private life,\u201d Gauthier wrote. \u201cPenn\u2019s decision will too \u2014 but in a way that closes doors and rolls back opportunities for Black and Brown students.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Gauthier added that \u201cwe deserve better from Penn.\u201d\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\tSign up for our newsletter<\/p>\n

Get our newsletter, DP Daybreak, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.<\/p>\n

Around the same time, Penn Carey Law also shut down<\/a> its Office of Equal Opportunity and Engagement, marking the latest closure contributing to a widespread removal<\/a> of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the University.\n<\/p>\n

Despite Gauthier\u2019s grievances, Penn Carey Law Dean Sophia Lee emphasized that the school has remained committed \u201cto ensuring access and opportunity for all\u201d in a statement<\/a> regarding the closure.\n<\/p>\n

Alexander<\/a>, who earned both a Ph.D. in economics and a law degree at Penn, was one of the first Black women in the United States to become a practicing lawyer, dedicating her life to racial and economic justice. By providing funding for projects in these areas, the fellowship is meant to continue her legacy.<\/p>\n

The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation<\/a> to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.<\/p>\n

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