Elreta Alexander-Ralston

Elreta Narcissus Alexander-Ralston ( née Melton; Maris 21, 1919 - Maris 14, 1998) lauya ce a shari'ar Amurka kuma alkaliyar kotun gunduma a North Carolina. Ita ce mace bakar fata ta farko da ta zama alkali ta hanyar zaɓen jama'a a Amurka, alkali bakar fata ta farko da aka zaɓa a North Carolina, kuma mace bakar fata ta farko da ta fara aikin lauya a North Carolina. Tare da aikinta na musamman, an san ta da "ƙin barin yanayin haihuwarta, gaskiyar lokacinta, da iyakokin da wasu suka sanya su ayyana makomarta."  name=":3"> Duk da haka, gadon Alexander-Ralston ya kasance ba a san shi ba, tare da ba a faɗi labarinta ba tsawon shekaru da yawa. Wannan yana goyon bayan ra'ayin cewa lauyoyi mata bakar fata ba su sami ƙarancin yabo ba saboda nasarorin da suka samu da gudummawarsu.

 Rayuwa ta farko 
An haifi Elreta Narcissus Melton a ranar 21 ga Maris, 1919, a ƙaramin garin Smithfield, North Carolina . Iyayenta, Joseph C. Melton da Alain A. Reynolds Melton, dukkansu malamai ne, kuma Joseph ya zama limamin Baptist .  name=":0"> Elreta tana da 'yan'uwa maza biyu.  Iyalin sun ƙaura zuwa Scotland Neck, North Carolina jim kaɗan bayan an haifi Elreta, kuma a shekarar 1925 ta ci gaba da zuwa Danville, Virginia, inda Alain ke koyarwa kuma Joseph ya zama fasto a Cocin Baptist na Loyal. 

Joseph da Alain sun haɗu tun tana ƙarama: shi ne malamin makarantar sakandare, kuma sun fara soyayya kafin a canza mata makaranta daga ajinsa, suna aure bayan ta kammala shekararta ta biyu a jami'a.  Daga baya Elreta ta ce Alain ya aure shi don ya bar gida, kuma ba ya son auren mai wa'azi.  Iyayen Alain suna da alaƙa ta launin fata daban-daban amma mahaifinta, mai shagon farar fata, yana raba shagonsa kuma iyalansu suna da wariya ta launin fata, Elreta ta tuna daga baya. Joseph ya kasance wanda suka dace da shi saboda karatunsa daga Jami'ar Shaw, aikinsa na minista, da kuma fata mai launin fata mai haske. 

Iyayen Alexander-Ralston sun yi imani sosai da ilimi, kuma Elreta ta tuna da mahaifinta yana cewa "babu wanda zai kwana a ƙarƙashin rufin gidansa ba tare da karatun jami'a ba."  name=":1"> Makarantar Elreta ta fara ne tun lokacin da mahaifiyarta ta sanya ta a aji na farko tana ɗan shekara huɗu, a makarantar da Alain ke koyarwa a ciki. Joseph yana koyar da 'ya'yansa bayan makaranta a fannin karatu, lissafi, Girkanci da Latin, kuma Alain yana koyar da rawa da waƙa, yana mai da martani ga ƙa'idodin da ake buƙata a al'adar Baptist a wancan lokacin. Iyayen Alexander-Ralston, kamar sauran iyalai baƙar fata na matsakaicin matsayi a wancan lokacin, sun ƙi shiga cikin rashin adalci na launin fata na fallasa 'ya'yansu zuwa wurare daban-daban. An hana yaran amfani da bas ko gine-gine daban-daban, banda makaranta, inda makarantun gwamnati daban-daban su ne kawai zaɓi. 

Bayan sun shafe kimanin shekaru goma sha biyu a Danville, Virginia, iyalin sun koma North Carolina, a wannan karon zuwa babban birnin Greensboro mai cike da jama'a.   name=":1">Summey, Virginia (July 2013). "Redefining Activism: Judge Elreta Alexander Ralston and Civil Rights Advocacy in the New South" (PDF). The North Carolina Historical Review. XC (3). Retrieved 2024-02-11 – via uncg.edu. Alain ta zauna a Danville na tsawon shekara guda, ba ta son barin rayuwarta a baya ba kuma tana da dangantaka mai tsami da mijinta: a wannan shekarar ta ga yaran a ƙarshen mako. Elreta ta bauta wa mahaifinta kuma tana son zama firist kamarsa, amma daga baya ta yaba wa mahaifiyarta saboda himmarta ta ƙwararru da kuma himmarta, tana kiranta mace mai ci gaba. 

Alexander-Ralston ya kammala karatunsa daga Makarantar Sakandare ta James B. Dudley a shekarar 1934.  A shekarar 1937, yana da shekaru goma sha takwas, Alexander-Ralston ya kammala karatunsa daga Kwalejin Noma da Fasaha ta North Carolina da ke Greensboro da digirin BS a fannin kiɗa.  name=":0">Butterfield, Honorable G.K. (February 26, 2021). "Honoring the Life and Legacy of Elreta Melton Alexander-Ralston" (PDF). Congressional Record – Extensions of Remarks: E176.

 Sana'a 
Bayan kammala karatunta, ta zama malamar makarantar sakandare a fannin lissafi, kiɗa, da tarihi a Kudancin Carolina da North Carolina, kuma ta yi aiki a ɗakin karatu na A&T. 

 Makarantar koyon aikin lauya 
Alexander-Ralston ta sami kwarin gwiwa ta je makarantar lauya bayan ta yi kamfen don kamfe ga ƙawarta Reverend Sharpe, wanda ke takarar zama ɗan majalisar birni na farko baƙar fata a Greensboro.   Sharpe ta sha kashi kaɗan saboda 'yan takarar fararen fata sun sayi kuri'un baƙar fata, kuma wannan rashin ya yi wa Alexander-Ralston mummunan rauni. Sharpe ya gaya mata cewa ya yi imanin cewa rashin adalci na launin fata na siyasa zai inganta wata rana, kuma ya ƙarfafa ta ta yi amfani da takaicinta, yana kawo mata kwafin Sharhin Blackstone tare da ƙarfafa ta ta zama lauya da ake buƙata sosai don wakiltar baƙar fata a Greensboro. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1). 

Saboda ƙarancin damar shiga makarantun lauya a North Carolina ga mata baƙaƙe, Alexander-Ralston ta yi rajista kuma ita ce mace baƙaƙe ta farko da ta shiga Makarantar Lauyoyi ta Columbia a shekarar 1943 tana da shekaru 24.  Muhimmancin wannan nasarar ya bayyana ne ta hanyar gaskiyar cewa ɗaliban baƙaƙe kaɗan ne kawai aka shigar da su a gabanta.  Ta fuskanci matsin lamba mai yawa daga Columbia don ta nuna cewa mata baƙaƙe suna cikin makarantar, tun lokacin da shugaban makarantar lauya Young B. Smith ya gaya mata cewa ita ce mace baƙaƙe ta farko da suka taɓa shiga, kuma ofishin shiga makarantar zai kalli wasanta kafin ya karɓi wasu mata baƙaƙe. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1). Daga baya ta tuna cewa ta damu sosai har ba ta ji laccoci na makonni shida na farko ba.  Babu shakka, Alexander-Ralston ya burge makarantar, domin a cikin shekaru kaɗan masu zuwa, sun karɓi ƙarin mata baƙaƙe, gami da wani alkali a nan gaba a shekara mai zuwa, Constance Baker Motley, kuma daga baya Edith Bornn, Carmel Carrington Marr, da Clarice Bryant. 

Alexander-Ralston ta damu da rashin damar ƙwararru ga lauyoyin baƙaƙe a North Carolina kuma ta damu da rabuwa da mijinta na tsawon lokaci. A wani lokaci, ta nemi hutun zangon karatu. Duk da haka, mijinta da Dean Smith sun ƙarfafa ta ta zauna. Ba ta tafi hutu ba, ta shahara sosai a tsakanin malamai da ɗalibai, kuma saboda saurin shirin Columbia a lokacin Yaƙin Duniya na Biyu, ta zama mace baƙar fata ta farko da ta kammala karatunta daga Makarantar Shari'a ta Columbia a 1945. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1).

 Jarrabawar mashaya 
Alexander-Ralston ta yi ƙoƙarin komawa Greensboro don yin aikin lauya a shekarar 1945, amma jerin manufofin wariyar launin fata sun hana ta yin jarrabawar lauyoyi a can: ko da bayan tuntuɓar da yawa daga Columbia, da kuma ƙaruwar rahotannin manema labarai a Greensboro, Hukumar Masu Jarrabawar Shari'a ta North Carolina ta yi watsi da ita har sai da ta yanke shawarar jira su ta hanyar yin aiki a New York. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1). Aikin lauyanta ya fara ne a Harlem inda ta kasance ma'aikaciyar shari'a a Dyer & Stevens daga 1945 zuwa 1947.  Summey, Virginia (July 2013). "Redefining Activism: Judge Elreta Alexander Ralston and Civil Rights Advocacy in the New South" (PDF). The North Carolina Historical Review. XC (3). Retrieved 2024-02-11 – via uncg.edu. Ta yi wa kanta kare don samun ƙwarewar shari'a. A ɗaya daga cikin fitowarta ta farko a kotu a 1946, ta yi wa ma'aikatan layin dogo na Delaware Lackawanna shari'a a gaban Kotun Daukaka Kara ta Amurka don Gundumar Na Biyu bayan babban lauyan ya tafi: ta yi nasara a shari'ar. Ta kuma yi nasara a takaddamar mai gida da mai haya wadda ta ce kamfaninta ba ya so ko kuma ya yi imanin za ta iya cin nasara. 

A shekarar 1946, ta sake yin ƙoƙarin yin jarrabawar lauyoyi ta North Carolina ta amfani da takardun shaidar da ta samu. An gaya mata maimakon haka cewa waɗannan takardun shaidar ba su da wani muhimmanci, kawai launin fatarta ne, kuma suna ƙin aikin lauyanta a Arewa don shawo kan ƙa'idodin launin fata na North Carolina. An ba da wata sabuwar doka cewa dole ne ta zama mazaunin North Carolina na tsawon watanni 12 kafin ta shiga aikin lauya, don haka Alexander-Ralston ya canza wurin zama nan take, ya yi tafiya duk mako zuwa aiki a New York, kuma ya ci jarrabawar lauya a 1947. Daga nan ta zama baƙar fata ta farko da ta fara aikin lauya a North Carolina. Summey, Virginia (July 2013). "Redefining Activism: Judge Elreta Alexander Ralston and Civil Rights Advocacy in the New South" (PDF). The North Carolina Historical Review. XC (3). Retrieved 2024-02-11 – via uncg.edu. Duk da haka, yana da mahimmanci a lura cewa Ruth Whitehead Whaley ita ce baƙar fata ta farko da ta shiga aikin lauya a North Carolina, a 1933, amma ba ta taɓa yin aiki a jihar ba. 

Ta hanyar yaƙin neman zaɓe da kuma haɗa kan al'umma ne aka ba Alexander-Ralston damar shiga majalisar. A ƙarshe a shekarar 1947, maƙwabcinta Fannie White ta yi sulhu a madadinta, domin White amintaccen mai kula da gida ne ga dangin Rucker masu ƙarfi a yankin, kuma ta san cewa Pierce Rucker zai ci abinci tare da Gwamna Robert Gregg Cherry . Bayan kwana biyu, Rucker ya nemi White ta kawo Alexander-Ralston gidansa don yi mata tambayoyi. Bayan ya shawo kansa ya tsaya mata, Rucker ya kira Herbert Falk, wani fitaccen lauya a yankin, wanda daga nan ya shawo kan ƙungiyar lauyoyi ta bar Alexander-Ralston ta yi gwajin. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1).

 Lauyan shari'a 
Alexander-Ralston lauya ce mai shari'a tsawon shekaru 21, tana kafa babban aikin aikata laifuka na kaɗaici da zarar ta isa Greensboro. Aikinta ya bunƙasa, yana samun abokan ciniki akai-akai daga hanyar sadarwar mahaifinta da mijinta. Watanni shida bayan ta fara aiki, ta ɗauki shari'ar Bill Godfrey: shi ne abokin cinikinta na fari na farko, abokinta wanda ya sami babban tikitin yin tsere. A lokacin, ba a taɓa jin labarin lauyoyin baƙar fata suna wakiltar fararen abokan ciniki ba, amma Godfrey ta roƙe ta da ta taimaka, kuma ta duba cewa alkalin da ke kula da shari'ar zai ba ta izini kafin ta ci gaba. Ta sami sakamako mai kyau na Godfrey kuma ta ci gaba da samun ƙarin fararen abokan ciniki, tare da baƙar fata abokan cinikin da take wakilta koyaushe. Ta fara gina suna a matsayin lauya mai hazaka kuma ta sami girmamawa daga sauran lauyoyi. An kuma san ta da sanya kayan ado masu kyau da na zamani zuwa kotu da kuma gina wasanni daga shari'o'i don ba da labari ga alkalai cikin hikima. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1).

Alexander-Ralston ta inganta ƙwarewarta a shari'ar DWI ta hanyar yin aiki tare da Herbert Parks, lauya baƙar fata da aka kafa. A da, Parks ya kasance minista kuma mai kula da kamfanin lauyoyi na Henderson & Henderson. Ya burge abokan hulɗar sosai da ƙoƙarinsa na koyon doka, har suka "karanci doka" tare da shi kuma suka sami izinin yin jarrabawar lauyoyi ta hanyar shawo kan ƙungiyar cewa ba zai iya cin jarabawar ba idan ya yi jarabawar. Lokacin da ya ci jarabawar a shekarar 1937, abokan hulɗar sun ci jarabawar DWI da ba a so don taimaka masa da kuma guje wa shari'o'in da ba a so. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1).

Daga baya Alexander-Ralston ta kafa kamfanin Alston, Alexander, Pell & Pell, ɗaya daga cikin kamfanonin haɗin gwiwa na farko a Kudu. Butterfield, Honorable G.K. (February 26, 2021). "Honoring the Life and Legacy of Elreta Melton Alexander-Ralston" (PDF). Congressional Record – Extensions of Remarks: E176.  Ta ƙi gabatar da wani hoton mujallar Time bayan wannan, inda ta bayyana a lokacin cewa ba ta sami kamfanin a matsayin na farko ba, amma don ta yi nasara.  Ta yi nasara a ƙarar da ta shigar a kan Majalisar Birnin Greensboro don ɗage ginin ginin gidaje ga mazauna baƙar fata, wanda ya haifar da zaɓen ɗan majalisar birni na baƙar fata na farko, kuma ya ba da damar fara aikin gidaje na tarayya ga baƙar fata a Amurka. Ta taimaka wajen gano filin wasan golf na farko na birni ga baƙar fata a Greensboro, kuma ta sami suna saboda wakiltar fararen fata da ake tuhuma, ciki har da mazan Ku Klux Klan (wasu daga cikinsu sun bar Klan bayan sun girmama wakilcinta a kansu).  Alexander-Ralston kuma ta kasance sananne saboda kasancewa mace baƙar fata ta farko da ta yi jayayya a gaban Kotun Koli ta North Carolina. 

Alexander-Ralston ta yi aiki tukuru wajen haɗa kai: ta yi jayayya kan haɗa filin wasan golf na fararen fata kawai, kuma duk da cewa ba ta yi nasara ba, wannan shine abin da ya sa birnin ya yi watsi da ƙirƙirar filin wasansa na farko ga baƙar fata, yayin da yake ci gaba da nuna wariya. Ta yi amfani da wasan kwaikwayo na kanta don bayyana abubuwa, ko ta hanyar bin ƙa'idodi da ƙa'idodi ko karya su. Ta haɗa Montaldos a cikin 1950,  kuma ta sanya salon zamani a cikin kotunan da aka keɓe na shekarun 1950 kuma ta sa sauran lauyoyi da alkalai su roƙe ta da ta amince da keɓancewa ga wariyar da suke nuna musu bayan ta zauna kusa da mutanen da ke aiki a ɓangaren baƙar fata, tana amfani da rashin jin daɗinsu da ya samo asali daga launin fata da bambancin ra'ayi . Ba ta ji tsoron yin magana da lauyoyi masu suka ba kuma ta yi amfani da martani masu zafi da izgili lokacin da suka raina ta, sau da yawa tana yin suka mai zurfi a cikin barkwanci da batutuwan shari'a. Summey, Virginia (July 2013). "Redefining Activism: Judge Elreta Alexander Ralston and Civil Rights Advocacy in the New South" (PDF). The North Carolina Historical Review. XC (3). Retrieved 2024-02-11 – via uncg.edu. McLaughlin, Nancy (2021-12-19). "Unsung hero: As a pioneering attorney and judge, Elreta Alexander-Ralston left indelible mark on civil rights, criminal justice reform | Crime-and-courts | greensboro.com". Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2025-01-01.

A shekarar 1964, Alexander-Ralston ya kare Charles Donald Yoes, daya daga cikin maza bakar fata hudu da ake zargi da yi wa wata farar fata fyade a shari'ar da aka yi tsakanin Jiha da Yoes . Wannan shari'ar ta zama daya daga cikin mafi tsawo a North Carolina, kuma an yi jayayya a kai har zuwa Kotun Koli ta jihar inda ta kalubalanci zaben alkalai na launin fata. An sha kaye a karar da aka daukaka amma an yaba mata da sanya zaben alkalai ya zama adalci a North Carolina ta hanyar yin wahayi zuwa ga kafa Hukumar Jury ta jihar. Daga baya Alexander-Ralston ya ce wannan shari'ar ta zaburar da ita ta zama alkali, saboda " kotun kangaroo " ce kuma bangarenta ba su da wata dama. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1).

 Alkalin kotun gundumar 
A shekarar 1968, North Carolina ta fara buƙatar a zaɓi kusan dukkan alkalan su a matsayin alkalai maimakon a naɗa su. Kotun Gundumar Guilford County tana da kujeru shida a buɗe.  Jam'iyyun Democrat da Republican sun nemi Alexander-Ralston da ta tsaya takarar alƙalin kotun gunduma, kuma ta zaɓi ta canza jam'iyyu ta kuma tsaya a matsayin 'yar Republican.   Tana son faɗaɗa yanayin siyasar North Carolina daga 'yan Democrat zuwa 'yan Republican masu fafatawa, kuma haka nan tana son matsa wa 'yan Democrat lamba su goyi bayan ƙarin mata da 'yan takara baƙar fata.  Tallace-tallacen yakin neman zaɓenta sun ƙunshi abubuwa biyu: saiti ɗaya ya jaddada iliminta da matsayinta na 'yan Republican, sauran kuma sun mayar da hankali kan takararta ta tarihi, suna gaya wa masu zaɓe cewa ita kaɗai ce mace da ke takara kuma "alamar adalci mace ce." 

Alexander-Ralston ta sami kuri'u na uku mafi yawa a zaben gundumar, inda ta sami gurbi a kan kujerar kotun gundumar.  Saboda haka, a watan Nuwamba 1968, Alexander-Ralston ta zama alkali bakar fata ta farko da aka zaba a North Carolina, kuma mace bakar fata ta farko da aka zaba a matsayin alkali a kotun gundumar a ko'ina cikin Amurka. Summey, Virginia (July 2013). "Redefining Activism: Judge Elreta Alexander Ralston and Civil Rights Advocacy in the New South" (PDF). The North Carolina Historical Review. XC (3). Retrieved 2024-02-11 – via uncg.edu. Ita ce kuma alkali bakar fata ta biyu da aka zaba a ko'ina cikin Amurka  A wannan lokacin, ana girmama ta sosai a matsayin lauya a cikin al'umma, kuma kodayake wasu 'yan asalin fararen fata sun yi adawa da zabenta a matsayin mace bakar fata, fararen fata da yawa na Greensboro sun yi kokarin raba ta da wariyar da suke nuna wa bakar fata, suna cewa zabenta ba wani abu bane mai girma saboda ita lauya ce mai kyau. Duk da haka, 'yan asalin bakar fata na Greensboro sun yi bikin zaben, tare da mutane da yawa da suka halarta don ganin ranar farko ta, ciki har da shugabar makarantar sakandare da membobin NAACP . McLaughlin, Nancy H. (1999-06-13). "Judge Ushered in a New Day for Greensboro". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved 2024-12-31. Ta ci gaba da zama alkali tsawon shekaru da yawa, kuma an sake zaɓenta a 1972, 1976, da 1980. Butterfield, Honorable G.K. (February 26, 2021). "Honoring the Life and Legacy of Elreta Melton Alexander-Ralston" (PDF). Congressional Record – Extensions of Remarks: E176.

Duk da cewa ta fuskanci ƙoƙari na cire ta ko kuma ɓata mata suna saboda aikinta, ta ci gaba da samun girmamawa sosai, kuma an sanya ta a matsayin mafi kyawun alkali a gundumar a wani zaɓen lauyoyi a wani lokaci.  Tsohon Babban Alkalin Kotun Koli ta North Carolina, Henry Frye, ya ce tana da himma sosai, kuma ta taɓa ba shi "mafi munin abin da kowa zai iya ci" a matsayin alkalin kotun gunduma amma ya girmama sukar. Ya yaba mata a matsayin mafi kyawun mai tambayoyi da ya sani, ƙwararre wajen tantancewa da kuma yin aiki da shaida cikin sauri. Frye ya kuma ce wasu lauyoyi sun yi mata rashin girmamawa sosai a farkon wa'adinta, kuma ta sami damar sanya su girmama ta da kirki amma da ƙarfi.  An san ta da ƙauna da "Alkali A" ga al'ummar yankin yayin da take kotu. 

A shekarar 1969 ta fara ɗaya daga cikin nasarorin da ta samu a matsayin alkali: "Ranar Shari'a," wanda ya mayar da hankali kan gyara matasa masu laifi da kuma munanan halaye a matsayin madadin tsarewa da bayanan laifuka. Sau ɗaya a shekara, a Ranar Shari'a, mahalarta za su haɗu su ba da rahoto game da ci gaban da suka samu kan ayyukan da suka taimaki rayuwarsu ko ta waɗanda suke ƙauna. An ƙarfafa su su tallafa wa juna kamar yadda ƙungiyar masu shan giya da ba a san su ba za ta yi.  Duk da cewa wannan shirin ya sha fuskantar suka daga gwamnati sau da yawa, musamman yayin da yanayin tsare mutane da yawa ya ƙaru a Amurka, ya guji rufewa har zuwa 1980, lokacin da sauye-sauye a dokokin jihar suka taru kuma Lauyan Gundumar Guilford, Mike Schlosser, ya bayyana cewa shi kaɗai ne zai iya yanke shawara lokacin da zai rage tuhume-tuhumen. 

 Yaƙin neman zaɓen Babban Alkali da kuma aikin sirri 
Alexander-Ralston ta tsaya takarar neman takarar Shugaban Kotun Koli ta North Carolina a shekarar 1974. Wannan matsayi ne da 'yan Democrat suka daɗe suna riƙe da shi har 'yan Republican ba sa goyon bayan 'yan takara masu fafatawa a zaɓen. Babu wata mace ko baƙar fata da ta taɓa riƙe wannan matsayi. Alexander-Ralston ta tsaya takara ba tare da sanar da ko neman izinin jam'iyyar Republican ta jihar ba, kuma ta ƙi ɓoye jinsi ko launin fatarta a lokacin yakin neman zaɓenta, tana mai da martani ga masu ba ta shawara waɗanda suka gaya mata ta yi hakan don guje wa sukar wariyar launin fata ko wariyar launin fata.  Ta fuskanci faɗa mai zafi a lokacin yakin neman zaɓenta, saboda Susie Sharp, wata farar fata, tana takara ba tare da hamayya ba tare da sha'awar masu zaɓe a zaɓen Democrat. Wannan kuma zaɓe ne na tsakiyar wa'adi tare da masu zaɓe a duk faɗin jihar waɗanda ba su san ta ba kamar yadda Gundumar Guilford ta san ta, kuma lokacin da Jam'iyyar Republican ta juya wa ƙungiyar kare haƙƙin jama'a baya, wanda duk ya sa wariyar launin fata ta fi shafar ta. Waɗannan ƙalubalen sun sa ta rasa takarar Republican ga James Newcomb, mai sayar da na'urorin kashe gobara wanda ba shi da digirin jami'a ko kuma tarihin shari'a. Duk da haka, rashinta ya haifar da fushi da kuma wani gyara da aka yi wa kundin tsarin mulki wanda daga baya ya bukaci alkalai su zama lauyoyi masu lasisi a North Carolina. 

Alexander-Ralston ta ba mutane da yawa mamaki lokacin da ta sanar da yin ritayarta a shekarar 1981: an ba ta izinin zama alkali bisa doka na tsawon shekaru takwas kuma har yanzu ana girmama ta sosai. Ta yi ritaya a ranar 1 ga Afrilu, 1981, kuma ta sake komawa aikinta na sirri ta hanyar kafa sabuwar kamfani, Alexander-Ralston, Pell & Speckhard, tare da tsoffin abokan aikinta, 'yan'uwan Pell, tare da 'yan'uwan Speckhard guda biyu.   Ta canza nauyin shari'arta a wannan karon, tana fifita ƙarin shari'o'in aiki na pro bono da na gida tare da zaɓinta na baya. 

 Sadar da sako 
A tsawon aikinta, Alexander-Ralston ta shiga ayyukan gwamnati da wayar da kan jama'a don tallata batutuwan da take damuwa da su. Ta kan yi magana a kan ƙungiyoyi daban-daban: na jama'a, na addini, na ilimi, na gwamnati, na 'yan'uwa, na matasa, da kuma tsofaffi. Ta kuma yi aiki a kwamitin Majalisar Drug Action Council, da kuma kwamitin masu ba da shawara ga North Carolina Symphony .  A shekarar 1974, ta yi magana a wani ajin jawabi a Jami'ar North Carolina, Chapel Hill : ita ce alkali bakar fata ta farko da ɗaliba Patricia Timmons-Goodson ta haɗu da ita, kuma jawabinta mai kyau da kuma kyawawan tufafinta sun zaburar da Timmons-Goodson ya zama alkali kamar ta daga baya. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1).

Alexander-Ralston ta ɗauki sha'awa ta musamman wajen wayar da kan matasa. Bayan ƙirƙirarta ta "Ranar Shari'a", ta himmatu wajen ƙoƙarin ilimi ta hanyar barin azuzuwan su halarci kotu, kuma ta ƙarfafa shigar ɗalibai cikin tsarin kotu. Ta kasance cikin Kwamitin Ɗaliban da ba su da galihu a Jami'ar North Carolina, Greensboro, da kuma Kwamitin Baƙi na Jami'ar Jihar Appalachian . 

 Daraja da kyaututtuka 
A shekarar 1969, ƙungiyar kasuwanci ta Greensboro ta ba ta lambar yabo ta Dolly Madison saboda ɗaga darajar ayyukan mata. A shekarun 1969 da 1970, Guys and Dolls, Inc. ta sanya mata suna baƙar fata 'yar asalin Greensboro da ta fi shahara: daga baya suka sanya ta zama memba mai daraja. A shekarar 1970, ta kuma sami lambar yabo ta zama ɗan ƙasa daga ƙungiyar Cherokee Council of the Boy Scouts of America .

A shekarar 1976, ta sami ambaton 'Yan'uwa daga ƙungiyar National Conference of Christians and Jews Greensboro. A shekarar 1977, ƙungiyar North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs ta sanya mata suna cikin manyan mata 25 mafi shahara a North Carolina. A shekarar 1980, an gayyace ta zuwa Fadar White House don cin abinci tare da Uwargidan Shugaban Ƙasa Rosalynn Carter a wani liyafa da aka shirya wa Mata Masu Ra'ayin 'Yan Negro.

An sanya wa ɗakin shari'a na 2A a Kotun Guilford County suna ne bayan Alexander-Ralston, wanda kuma ke ɗauke da hotonta. McLaughlin, Nancy (2021-12-19). "Unsung hero: As a pioneering attorney and judge, Elreta Alexander-Ralston left indelible mark on civil rights, criminal justice reform | Crime-and-courts | greensboro.com". Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2025-01-01.

A shekarar 1990, an gayyace ta zuwa wani liyafa da aka shirya don girmama lauyoyi mata baƙaƙe, waɗanda ƙungiyar lauyoyi ta North Carolina ta shirya. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1). A shekarar 1992, ta kasance ɗaya daga cikin 'yan asalin Greensboro uku da aka shigar a cikin Gasar Matasa ta Zauren Shahararrun 'Yan Takara. 

A shekarar 2021, ta sami kyautar Legal Legends of Color Award daga ƙungiyar lauyoyi ta North Carolina. Rawlings, Russell; Affairs (2021-08-17). "2021 Legal Legends of Color: Judge Elreta Melton Alexander". North Carolina Bar Association. Retrieved 2025-01-01.

 Rayuwar mutum da mutuwa 
Auren Alexander-Ralston na farko da Girardeau “Tony” Alexander II ne, likita da ta haɗu da shi a kwaleji. Summey, Virginia (July 2013). "Redefining Activism: Judge Elreta Alexander Ralston and Civil Rights Advocacy in the New South" (PDF). The North Carolina Historical Review. XC (3). Retrieved 2024-02-11 – via uncg.edu. Sun yi tsere a asirce a Asheboro, North Carolina a ranar 7 ga Yuni, 1938, inda babban shakkun Alexander-Ralston ya sha kaye sakamakon matsin lambar Tony.  Ma'auratan suna da ɗa ɗaya, Girardeau Alexander III (an haife shi a ranar 4 ga Oktoba, 1950).  Alexander-Ralston ya ce daga baya cewa Tony ya shiga harkokin kasuwanci kuma yana cin zarafi, kuma ta fara nisanta kanta daga gare shi da ɗaukar bindiga.  Mahaifiyarta ta mutu a shekarar 1964, mahaifinta kuma a shekarar 1968, kuma bayan watanni biyu, Alexander-Ralston ya saki Tony.  Sun zauna daban amma Elreta ta zama babban mai kula da shi yayin da lafiyarsa ta tabarbare, har zuwa mutuwarsa a shekarar 1976. 

A shekarar 1979, Alexander-Ralston ya auri John D. Ralston, wani alkali farar fata mai ritaya daga Sashen daukaka kara na IRS.   Ta shaida wa manema labarai a lokacin cewa yana da barkwanci sosai kuma ya sa ta farin ciki fiye da yadda ta zata, wanda ya bambanta da abin da ta bayyana a matsayin shekaru 30 na mummunan aurenta na farko. John ya mutu a shekarar 1983. 

Ɗan Alexander-Ralston yana da cutar schizophrenia kuma duk da cewa ta shafe lokaci mai tsawo tana ƙoƙarin neman ilimi da mafita a gare shi, Girardeau ta ƙara samun tashin hankali da ba a zata ba. A shekarar 1990, ya kashe mai kula da shi, Eula Mae Rankin, kuma aka yanke masa hukuncin ɗaurin shekaru goma sha biyar a gidan yari, kodayake ya rayu sauran rayuwarsa a gidan rukuni maimakon haka. Abokan aikin Alexander-Ralston sun lura da irin tasirin da matsalolin ɗanta suka yi wa lafiyarta.

Alexander-Ralston ta mutu a ranar 14 ga Maris, 1998, kuma an binne tokarta a Greensboro, ba tare da an yi jana'iza ko wani taron tunawa da ita ba kamar yadda ta buƙata. Timmons-Goodson, Patricia (2012). "'Darlin', The Truth Will Set You Free' – A Tribute to Judge Elreta Melton Alexander" (PDF). Elon Law Review. 4 (1). 

 Duba kuma 

 Jerin Masu Shari'ar Bakar fata
 Jerin lauyoyi da alkalai mata na farko a Arewacin Carolina

 Manazarta 

Rukuni:Mutuwan 1998
Rukuni:Haihuwan 1919
Rukuni:Shafuka masu fassarorin da ba'a duba ba