Former State Senator Arthenia L. Joyner, the longest serving Black female attorney in the state of Florida, yesterday formalized a $112,000 gift to the FAMU College of Law creating the Arthenia L. Joyner Endowed Scholarship. The endowment will provide educational opportunities for female students who want to work in the area of social justice.
The scholarship was funded in part by Joyner, Florida Crystals, Amscot, TECO Energy, and others.
Joyner, a 1968 graduate of the FAMU College of Law, has more than 50 years of legal experience and is a well regarded personal injury lawyer. Throughout her extensive legal career, Attorney Joyner has held public office on several levels and is a force in national Democratic Party politics.
She has served as a member of the Florida Senate for ten years, serving as Democratic Leader from 2014-16. Prior to that she served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2006. She is a strong civil rights supporter who has held leadership positions at all levels. She has even served as counselor to several U.S. Presidents.