Branche E. Braxton

Blanche Estelle Braxton ( Woodson) was the first African American female lawyer in Massachusetts.

Braxton attended the Portia School of Law, now known as New England Law Boston. She was the first black woman to be admitted to practice in the United States District Court of Massachusetts.

The date she was admitted was the first date the federal court had their "opening prayer" delivered by a Roman Catholic priest, instead of a Protestant clergymen. The only other time the opening prayer had been delivered by a non-Protestant was three months prior, when it was delivered by a Jewish rabbi.

In 1933, at the time of her admission to practice law in the federal district court, Braxton lived at 588 Columbus Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts.