Mary Newkirk

I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith - II Timothy: 4:17.

Mary Newkirk, the ninth daughter of the late Willie A. and Eva O. H. Newkirk was born May 13, 1937, in Richmond, Virginia.

Mary graduated from Dunbar Elementary (Blackwell), and Armstrong High School in the RPS system. She received a B.A. Degree in Elementary Education from Virginia Union University; a M.Ed from American University (Washington, DC); and a J.D. Degree in International Law from Howard University's School of Law.

She taught kindergarten in the Richmond Public School System, and first grade with the Defense Education Group in Toul, France. In 1971 she became the first black legal intern at the Defense General Supply Center - Richmond, Virginia (Bellwood). Upon graduation from Law School in 1972 she was employed by the U.S. Department of the Navy in the legal department. After admission to the Nebraska Bar (January 1973), she was assigned the position of attorney advisor to the Military Sealift Command (another first for a black and a woman).

Mary was employed as an Associate Professor of Business Law at Virginia State University in 1974 and retired as professor in 2001.

She is listed in Outstanding Educators in America, and Who's Who among American Teachers. Attorney Newkirk served as staff editor of the Atlantic Law Journal from 2001-2003 and was granted the status of Attorney Emeritus in 2012 by the Nebraska Bar Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie A. and Eva O. H. Newkirk, her sisters, Pearl N. Forrest (Richard), Susie N. Wright-Coleman (Charlie), Dorothy N. Chavis (Joseph), Virginia N. Johnson (Bernard), Willie N. Harris, Clara N. Dawson, and Blanche N. Penn.

She is survived by her sister Evelyn N. Lively (Robert); several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and Godchild, Denise Lawson.