Faculty Directory

Ruth-Arlene W. Howe

Professor Emerita

Biography

Professor Ruth-Arlene W. Howe retired from active teaching duties in the Fall of 2009. Professor Howe first arrived at BC Law as a student in 1970. More than 40 years later, her hard work, passion, and commitment to diversity and social justice as a student, alumna, and faculty member have helped shape BC Law into what it is today.

Professor Howe has spent much of her life working for social justice. Calling upon her life experiences as a daughter, wife, mother, and community activist, Professor Howe dedicated her career to further the best interests of children, especially African-American youth. As the first African-American female faculty member to achieve tenure and the rank of full professor in the history of BC Law, Professor Howe enjoyed a distinguished and varying academic career, teaching a variety of courses and seminars in family law, elder law, legal interviewing and counseling, and professional responsibility. Professor Howe was a founding faculty advisor to the Third World Law Journal, now the Journal of Law and Social Justice, and an advisor to the Black Law Student Association.