At Ward Law, we are committed to recognizing and celebrating the diverse Black voices, histories, and contributions that continue to shape our communities. In honor of Black History Month, we’re proud to share the following reflections from our Associate Attorney, Sydney Sanders, on what this month represents to her.
My great-grandmother, who I was named after, was a member of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs (NACWC), the first national organization for Black women. The NACWC took charge of advocating for solutions to political, social, and economic issues that impacted the Black community. I became a fourth-generation member when I was eight years old. Although I was too young to truly grasp the history and gravity of this organization and its mission, I enjoyed being a part of a family legacy. I also had the privilege to learn about and celebrate Juneteenth, which also happens to be my great-grandmother’s birthday. When I moved to the east coast for college, I learned that none of my classmates were familiar with the holiday. Now, only a few years later, Juneteenth is federally recognized and celebrated across the country.
I ended 2025 graduating from law school and becoming the first attorney in my family. Knowing that my family can trace its origins to the slaves that were freed on Juneteenth and later advocated for their communities via the NACWC, the occasions felt even more momentous. During the summer, my mother began some genealogical research to ensure that our family history was not lost. Through her research, we learned that one of my ancestors was Senator John Hemphill of Texas. Hemphill served as the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas (both the Republic and the State) and was a US Senator. He had such a profound impact on the Texas judiciary; he was called “the John Marshall of Texas,” in reference to one of the most prolific US Supreme Court justices, John Marshall. Upon finding this out, I joked that I could no longer claim being the first lawyer in my family.
One of Hemphill’s greatest legacies is his ruling that women should be seen as legally equal to men in receiving inheritance, making women able to inherit property. Hemphill had two daughters with his slave, Sabina. Theodora and Henrietta Hemphill eventually went to Wilberforce College, one of the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country. They were some of the earliest college-educated women, let alone Black women, in the country. They were also able to own property because of their father’s jurisprudence.
Looking at my family history, I note that some of my ancestors were afforded privileges others were not. With those privileges, they thought to make the world a better place. 2026 is the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Carter G. Woodson began what was then called Negro History Week in 1926 to study, teach, and celebrate the contributions Black people have made to society. As we mark a century of celebrating Black history nationally, I encourage everyone to reflect on both their personal and national histories. As Woodson intended, we should celebrate all the contributions all people, famous or otherwise, have had on society, whether personal or international. After all, Black history is American history. To honor my family’s legacies, I will continue advocating for others and trying to create a more just world.
“A person can change history in big and small ways. You can’t take on every fight. But you can still make a difference.” — Meet the Newmans, A Novel by Jennifer Niven