Njeri Mathis Rutledge is a legal expert, professor, writer, former judge, and former prosecutor.  Before joining academia, she served as a prosecuting attorney for Harris County, one of the largest district attorney offices in the nation.  She is a law professor at South Texas College of Law Houston and an opinion columnist for USA Today.  She is a subject matter expert on topics related to criminal justice reform, criminal law and procedure, race and diversity, labor and employment law, among others.

 

​In her own words: ​

 

Spelman leveled the playing field. I spent my childhood being a "special Black girl." I got to Spelman, and we were all special, amazing, smart, well-rounded, and driven. It created an entire new level of competition in terms of pushing myself and sisterhood. My love and support for all Black women comes from Spelman. I feel genuinely sad hearing of people's horror stories working with other women or Black women. Dr. Cole instilled in us, I am you and you are me. When one sister wins, we all win!