by Elisabeth Bass, Class of 2025
In 1972, John Charles Thomas graduated from UVA’s College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in American Government, but that was just the beginning of his journey to promote diversity and break barriers.
Thomas loved UVA so much, he decided to continue his education here and graduated from the Law School in 1975. He went on to work for a law firm where he was the first African American lawyer to work there. He spoke of the experience, stating “I did not know what to expect. We were not many years from the searing violence that scarred the nation during the days of the Civil Rights Movement; the Selma March, King's assassination, riots in the streets of major cities all were within recent memory. And so it was a major step to be the first Black lawyer at Hunton & Williams; I saw it as part of the integration of our society”.
In 1982, Thomas was promoted to partner in his firm. The following year, he was appointed to the Virginia Supreme Court. At 32, he was both the first African American on the Virginia Supreme Court and the youngest justice ever in Virginia’s history.
Unfortunately, John Charles Thomas had to resign after seven years on the court due to illness but continued to work as a lawyer in Richmond and then at a sports court until he retired.
After his retirement, Thomas has embraced so many creative avenues. He is a poet and has a memoir titled, “Poetic Justice”. He continues to embrace UVA, as one would expect from a Double 'Hoo. In 2009, he spoke at the first-year orientation, speaking in such a motivating way to UVA’s newest class.
Thomas has embraced all the Commonwealth’s colleges and never forgets that he is truly a Virginian. He was on the governing board for William and Mary. The Commonwealth will forever be grateful for Justice Thomas’s work and dedication to the legal field.
Despite graduating 50 years ago, Justice John Charles Thomas’s legacy continues at UVA. As someone who wants to enter the legal field myself, he serves as an inspiration. He broke barriers and made sure that marginalized people were a part of the justice system, working to create real and meaningful change. Justice Thomas has inspired generations of people looking to break barriers and work in the legal field. That is the great power that UVA alumni hold.
Elisabeth Bass
College of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2025
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies