Women have been fighting to be a part of the justice system throughout this country's history. In 1869, Arabella Mansfield was granted admission to practice law in Iowa; making her the First Woman Lawyer. She was formally admitted to the Iowa State Bar after a ruling in the Iowa courts in her favor.
A year later, Ada H. Kepley, of Illinois, graduated from the Union College of Law in Chicago. She was the first woman lawyer to graduate from a law school.
Even after some of the first women had achieved success, it was still not an easy road for women trying to practice law in this country.
In 1872, Myra Bradwell filed a petition with the U. S. Supreme Court to appeal the decision of the Illinois Supreme Court. Even though she had completed her legal studies and passed the bar examination, they denied her admission to the state bar. The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision. She was eventually granted license in 1890.
In 1872, Myra Bradwell filed a petition with the U. S. Supreme Court to appeal the decision of the Illinois Supreme Court. Even though she had completed her legal studies and passed the bar examination, they denied her admission to the state bar. The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision. She was eventually granted license in 1890.
In 1879, Belva A. Lockwood was the first woman attorney admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Charlotte E. Ray, a Howard University graduate, was the first African American woman lawyer. She was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar in 1872. She applied for admission under the name C. E. Ray. The admissions committee thought she was a male so the application went through without problems.
In 2010, 31.5% of lawyers in the United States were women.
Such trail blazers!! We are standing on their shoulders!
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