Louisville is set to make history once again. The city plans to honor Alberta Odell Jones, Kentucky’s first Black female attorney, with a life-size statue. This landmark decision will make Jones the first Black woman to be immortalized in bronze in Louisville.
Trailblazing Legacy of Alberta Odell Jones
Alberta Odell Jones broke numerous barriers in her short but impactful life. She was the first Black woman to pass the Kentucky bar exam. Jones also became the first female city attorney and the first female prosecutor for the Domestic Relations Court.
Perhaps most famously, Jones served as the first attorney for a young Black boxer who would later become known worldwide as Muhammad Ali. Her groundbreaking achievements paved the way for future generations of Black women in law.
Tragic End and Unsolved Mystery
Tragically, Jones’ life was cut short in August 1965 when she was murdered. Despite investigations by Louisville police and the FBI, her case remains unsolved nearly 60 years later.
The proposed statue serves not only as a tribute to Jones’ remarkable life but also as a reminder of the justice she still deserves.
Community Support for the Statue Initiative
The push for Jones’ statue comes from a coalition of supporters. Her family, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., and Jefferson County attorney Mike O’Connell are spearheading the effort to cement Jones’ place in history.
“This statue will ensure that Alberta Odell Jones’ legacy lives on,” said a spokesperson for the initiative. “It’s time for Louisville to honor one of its most distinguished daughters.”
Kentucky’s Growing Recognition of Black Pioneers
Jones’ statue will join a growing number of monuments honoring Black pioneers across Kentucky. These include:
- A bronze bust of Elmer Lucille Allen, the first Black woman scientist hired by Brown-Forman
- A statue at the University of Kentucky honoring the four men who integrated SEC football
- A bronze statue of York, the enslaved man who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition
Representation Matters: Women in Public Art
The addition of Jones’ statue will significantly boost female representation in Kentucky’s public art. Currently, few statues in the state depict women. Notable exceptions include:
- A life-size bronze statue of Alice Allison Dunnigan, the first Black woman to cover the White House, Congress, and Supreme Court
- The Kentucky African American Civil Veterans Monument, which honors Black Civil War soldiers, including women who served
