Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 6-21-19

Local
Attorney Celebrates 50 Years Of Practicing Law
Attorney Arthenia Joyner earned her place in history as the first African American woman to practice law in Hillsborough County. On Thursday, June 20, 2019, Senator Joyner celebrated her 50th Anniversary as the only African American woman to practice law con- tinuously.
“There are other Black women attorneys in the state who started practicing law before me, but they stopped practicing. I am the only one who has practiced continu- ally,” she said.
In addition to this mile- stone, Senator Joyner has an impressive list of being the “first,” as well as other accomplishments.
She credits her beliefs with shaping her life. While a student at Middleton High School, she participated in
ATTORNEY ARTHENIA JOYNER
the Civil Rights Demonstra- tions.
After graduating from Middleton High School, she enrolled at Florida A & M University. While there, she
was arrested twice for civil disobedient and served 14 days in jail.
Senator Joyner
learned to stand for what she believed in, even if it meant standing alone.
During her long career, she has established herself as a respected attorney, pub- lic servant, civil and women’s rights advocate, community and national leader.
In her goal to improve the lives of others, Senator Joyner became the first African American woman from Hillsborough County who was elected as a State Representative. After term limitations ended her term, she sought and was elected as the first African American woman to serve as a State Senator.
Born in 1943, in Lake-
land, Florida, she credits her father, the late Henry Joyner, with teaching her about the importance of sharing personal success with those less fortunate.
“My father always said, ‘to whom much is given, much is required,’ she recalled.
Senator Joyner grad- uated with a B. S. in Political Science from Florida A & M University in 1964, and in 1968, earned her J. D. De- gree from Florida A & M University, College of Law.
After graduation, she worked as a legal assistant to State Representative Joe Lang Kershaw, the first African American to serve in Tallahassee since Recon- struction.
Although armed with a law degree, Senator Joyner learned that no law firm would hire her. Not to
be deterred from her dream of becoming a practicing at- torney, she took out a $1,000 bank loan and opened her solo practice of law.
Senator Joyner be- came the first Black woman to practice law in Hillsbor- ough County and the first Black to practice law in Polk County.
In 1991, she founded the law firm of Stewart Joyner Jordan-Holmes. She served as Of Counsel with Stiles & Grace, PA. Currently, she is Of Counsel with Vanguard Attorneys.
Senator Joyner is the recipient of numerous awards, commendations, and other forms of acknowl- edgment. She has also served on local, state, and national boards and com- mittees.
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-B