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Pioneering Ivy League Law Dean Barbara Aronstein Black Dies at 92

1/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Barbara Aronstein Black, first woman to lead an Ivy League law school, died at age 92 in Philadelphia.
Columbia Law School confirmed her death.
She served as dean from 1986 to 1991 and reformed the curriculum and the corporate law program.
She increased diversity among faculty and introduced policies supporting women, including maternal leave and part-time programs for mothers.

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Story summary

Barbara Aronstein Black, first woman to lead an Ivy League law school, died at age 92 in Philadelphia.
Columbia Law School confirmed her death.
She served as dean from 1986 to 1991 and reformed the curriculum and the corporate law program.
She increased diversity among faculty and introduced policies supporting women, including maternal leave and part-time programs for mothers.