Scholarship

The Blanche E. Braxton Bar Scholarship is named in honor of Blanche E. Braxton, the first African American woman to be admitted to the Bar in Massachusetts. In 1921, Attorney Braxton graduated from the Portia School of Law (currently New England Law Boston) and in 1923, Attorney Braxton became the first African American woman to be admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. She was also the first African American woman to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

The goal of the scholarship is to promote diversity in the legal profession in Massachusetts by providing financial assistance to a member of the MBWA during studies for the bar exam administered by the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners. This scholarship is made possible through the generous donations and fundraising efforts of MBWA members and friends.

Each year, the scholarship is awarded to female law students of color who have demonstrated outstanding academic excellence, a commitment to public service, and a dedication to the advancement of marginalized people through the legal process.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A member of MBWA at the time of application (membership is free for students);
• A 3L or 4L;
• Enrolled at a law school for the 2024-2025 academic year; or
• Law school graduates who graduated on or after May 2024, registered to take the July 2025 Uniform Bar Exam and Massachusetts Law Component, and are not licensed to practice law within any U.S. jurisdiction; and
• Available to attend the annual Ida B. Wells Awards Celebration (attendance at the ceremony is required)

Award and Selection Process

MBWA will award a bar scholarship in celebration of Blanche E. Braxton, the first Black woman to pass the Massachusetts Bar Exam at its annual Ida B. Wells Awards Celebration. The scholarship recipient will receive a one-time $2,500.00 scholarship to assist with the costs and related expenses associated with the bar exam.

The scholarship award recipient will be selected by a review committee composed of MBWA members, who will evaluate applicants on the following criteria:

• Academic Excellence;
• Community Involvement;
• Dedication to the Advancement of Minoritized People, especially Women of Color, through the Legal Process;
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion within the Legal Profession;
• Plans to Practice Law in Massachusetts after Law School.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit all of the following:

• Completed a Blanche E. Braxton Scholarship Application, providing complete answers;
• Resume;
• Current transcript;
• Class registration or other proof of enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year;
• Essay of 500 words or less discussing applicant’s academic, personal, and professional accomplishments, the importance of having Black women attorneys in the legal profession, and how she intends to contribute to the legal profession in Massachusetts.

Submission Deadline

MBWA is accepting applications for the Blanche E. Braxton Bar Scholarship now through May 9, 2025. The scholarship recipient will be notified in advance and officially announced at the Annual Ida B. Wells Awards Celebration, to be held in person on June 7, 2025. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

The Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys (“MBWA”) is proud to offer the Blanche E. Braxton Bar Scholarship named in honor of the first African American woman to be admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. In 1921, Attorney Braxton graduated from the Portia School of Law (currently New England Law Boston) and in 1923, Attorney Braxton became the first African American woman to be admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. She was also the first African American woman to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.