Janie Greenwood Harris

Portrait Details

Artist: Donna L. Woodley
Year: 2021 

Biography

Janie Greenwood Harris earned her law degree from Vanderbilt Law School in 1964, becoming the school’s first female African American graduate. With a 37-year career spanning the federal government and corporate sector, Harris spent the first 12 years of her career working as an attorney to the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, the U.S. Missile Command, and the Government Accountability Office. She transitioned to corporate law in 1976. In 1998 she was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Labor to a four-year term on the Advisory Council on Employee Benefit Plans. In addition to her professional achievements, Harris has served in leadership positions in various community and civil rights organizations. 

Additional recognitions, awards and news

Janie Greenwood Harris ’64 receives 2017 Distinguished Service Award 

Need-based Scholarships in honor of Vanderbilt’s first African American Law Graduates