Wichita Falls in Wichita County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Charlye Ola Farris
(1929-2010)
Farris received her law degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1953. During her final year, Farris’ class worked on the landmark racial desegregation case, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Charlye was sworn in on Nov. 12, 1953 as the first Black woman to be licensed to practice law in Texas. Charlye started a solo practice in Wichita Falls, becoming the first Black, male or female, to actively practice law in Wichita County. Charley faced many obstacles and much discrimination in Wichita County and within the legal profession. However, in 1954, Farris was selected to serve as county judge pro-tem, making her the first black person to serve as a judge in the South since Reconstruction.
Among her many awards, such as the American Bar Association’s Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement, one of her proudest was serving on the Board of Regents of Midwestern State University, where she was not permitted to attend earlier as a student due to her race. During her 56 years of legal practice, Charlye served her community numerous ways. Her life is a testament to the determination and the impact one individual can have on a community, state, and nation.
Marker is Property of the State of Texas
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16931.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list.
Location. 33° 54.748′ N, 98° 29.678′ W. Marker is in Wichita Falls, Texas, in Wichita County. Marker is on Lamar Street north of 7th Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located on the Wichita County Courthouse grounds, near the southeast corner of the courthouse, beside the sidewalk adjacent to the east-side parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 7th Street, Wichita Falls TX 76301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lost Battalion (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Hudson Barwise (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas Governor James V. Allred (within shouting distance of this marker); First County Officials (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wichita Falls Bank Robbery of 1896 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Gorsline's Fashion Livery Stable (approx. 0.2 miles away); John F. O'Donohue (approx. ¼ mile away); George Alonzo Soule (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wichita Falls.
Also see . . . Charlye Ola Farris. (Submitted on January 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 941 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.