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Throughout the month of February, Chartwell will be featuring Black attorneys and staff who have shared their experiences, insights, and perspectives on the challenges they’ve encountered, the opportunities they’ve embraced, and the impact they continue to make in the legal profession.
Is there a specific experience or Black figure who you have been influenced or inspired by?
Absolutely, I could easily name multiple famed public figures, but on a personal level my great-grandmother, Reverend Mary L. Devlin, has not only inspired me but my entire family tree. As a mother of 11 from North Carolina, she moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for better opportunity, where she worked as a housekeeper and nanny to provide for her family and as an unpaid reverend on weekends. Although much of her work was underpaid and unappreciated, the example she set through her lifestyle influenced our entire family. Her commitment to earning an honest living through noble, hard work instilled a work ethic in her children that resonated for generations to come. During her lifetime she was able to see them grow to become business owners of a church, gas station, florist shop, funeral home, restaurant, and real estate company, all due to her humble beginnings and the sacrifices she made during their upbringing.
What is the importance of your heritage? Or what does your heritage mean to you?
Heritage is a person's origin and a constant reminder of where you come from, which I believe is important to know. When I acknowledge the struggles and perseverance of my ancestors, I am proud of everything they have overcome that has provided me with the freedoms and opportunities I have today as a black woman. Privileges that may seem so simple today, like education, the right to vote and fair legal resources all stem from the fight of those before me. My heritage is my pride and glory.
