[2] After graduating with honors in political science from Howard University in 1965,[1] Jones taught English from 1965 to 1967[1] in Peace Corps and became one of the first African Americans to serve in Turkey.
[1] In 1972, only two years out of law school, she was counsel of record in Furman v. Georgia, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that abolished the death penalty in 37 states.
[4] In 1975, Jones was named special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, William T. Coleman, Jr. During her tenure she helped write policy that opened the United States Coast Guard to women.
At that time, the en banc 6th Circuit was actively considering a constitutional and legal challenge brought against the affirmative action admissions program used by the University of Michigan.
According to a memorandum written by the Senate staffer who spoke with her, the purpose and intent of Jones’ request was "to ask that the Judiciary Committee consider scheduling Julia [Smith] Gibbons, the uncontroversial nominee to the 6th Circuit[,] at a later date, rather than at a hearing next Thursday, April 25th."