Kathrine R. Everett

"People would come from miles around to see a lady lawyer."
...Kathrine R. Everett

"She was complete--she broke new ground in her profession; she was a daughter, wife and mother; she invested intelligence and energy in her church and other organizations; and as a citizen she contributed to the government of her community. And all these things she did with warmth and grace."
...Remarks by Dean Judith Wegner at the rededication ceremony, Sept 5, 1993.

Kathrine Robinson Everett, born in 1893, was the only woman in the class of 1920 and graduated first in her class, was one of the first women admitted to the state bar, was the first woman to argue a case (which she won) before the North Carolina Supreme Court, and was one of the first two women to win a seat on the Durham City Council (1951), a seat she held for 20 years. Her career encompassed local government and real estate as well as law, which she practiced actively until her death in 1992.

The Law Library was renamed in her memory in 1993, in honor of her $2 million bequest to the law school, a bequest which will allow the creation of endowed professorships, as well as providing funds in support of both students and the library.