Hattie Ruth Elam Briscoe (November 12, 1916 – October 17, 2002) was recognized as being the first African American woman to enroll in and graduate from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas.
[2] Following high school graduation, she attended Wiley College in Marshall and became a fourth grade teacher in Wichita Falls, Texas.
[1] In 1951 she earned a master's degree from Prairie View A&M University[2] and began teaching cosmetology at Wheatley High School.
She decided to pursue a law degree after she was fired from Wheatley for "sassing white folks" and was denied having her case heard in court.
[1] Briscoe was a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and numerous law associations, and has been involved in the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations.