From Suffrage to the Supreme Court:
Women Who Paved the Way in Law
Throughout history, women have played a pivotal role in shaping the legal system, often overcoming immense challenges to make their mark. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we shine a spotlight on the remarkable women who have shaped the legal landscape and inspired generations to come.
Belva Lockwood:
1830 – 1917
Belva Lockwood was a trailblazing figure in American history, a woman who defied societal expectations and carved a path for herself in the male-dominated fields of law and politics. Her journey was marked by resilience, determination, and an unwavering belief in her own abilities.
Belva Lockwood was born on October 24, 1830, in the Niagara County town of Royalton, New York, the second daughter, and second of five children, of farmers Lewis J. and Hannah Bennett. Belva was self-made: she invented herself as a middle-class professional woman. Widowed at the young age of 22 and left with a 3-year-old daughter, Lockwood refused to succumb to the limitations imposed on women during the 19th century. Driven by a fierce independence, she sought education and professional opportunities. She attended college, defying the norms of the time, and began her career as a teacher. Her thirst for knowledge and her ambition led her to Washington, D.C., where she embarked on a remarkable journey that would challenge the status quo and redefine the role of women in American society.
In Washington, D.C., Lockwood married Ezekiel Lockwood and had another daughter. However, marriage did not deter her from pursuing her ambitions. She set her sights on the legal profession, a field that was almost exclusively reserved for men. Despite facing opposition from male students and even President Ulysses S. Grant, Lockwood persevered. She successfully lobbied Congress to pass a law allowing women to practice before the Supreme Court, becoming the first woman admitted to the Supreme Court bar. This achievement was a landmark victory for women’s rights and paved the way for future generations of female lawyers.
Lockwood’s groundbreaking accomplishments extended beyond the legal realm. In 1884, she made history by becoming the first woman to run a full-fledged campaign for the presidency of the United States. Although she did not win, her candidacy was a bold statement that challenged the prevailing notion that women were unfit for political leadership. Lockwood’s campaign garnered national attention and sparked a debate about women’s suffrage and political participation. Undeterred by her initial loss, she ran for president again in 1888, further solidifying her status as a pioneer in American politics.
Throughout her career, Lockwood maintained a successful law practice in Washington, D.C. She represented a diverse clientele, including women, minorities, and those accused of crimes. Her practice encompassed a wide range of legal matters, including police court proceedings, probate work, pension claims, and divorce cases. Lockwood was known for her compassion, her sharp legal mind, and her unwavering commitment to justice. She was a staunch advocate for women’s rights and often represented wives in divorce cases, fighting for their financial security and their right to custody of their children.
Lockwood’s success as a lawyer was due in part to her husband, Ezekiel, who supported her ambitions and worked alongside her in their law practice. Their partnership was a testament to the power of collaboration and mutual respect. Together, they built a thriving practice that served the needs of their community and challenged the gender norms of the legal profession.
Belva Lockwood’s legacy is one of courage, resilience, and trailblazing achievement. She broke barriers for women in law and politics, paving the way for countless others to follow in her footsteps. Her life and work serve as an inspiration to all who strive to challenge the status quo and create a more just and equitable society.
A woman of great energy, at the age of 83 Lockwood led a group of women on a tour of Europe. Until her final illness, she was marching on the streets of the capital in support of woman suffrage and international peace. She died in Washington, D.C., in 1917 at the age of 86. Three years before, she had told a reporter that a woman might one day occupy the White House: “It will be entirely on her own merits, however. No movement can place her there simply because she is a woman.” Belva Lockwood was a woman of remarkable energy.
Arabella Babb Mansfield
1845 – 1911
Arabella Mansfield, born Belle Aurelia Babb, was a pioneer in the legal field, becoming the first woman admitted to the practice of law in the United States in 1869. This remarkable achievement occurred a full 50 years before women in the U.S. gained the right to vote, highlighting Mansfield’s exceptional courage and determination in the face of societal norms and expectations.
Several key factors contributed to Mansfield’s success. First and foremost, she was fortunate to have a supportive family that placed a high value on education. Her parents, particularly her father, recognized and encouraged her intellectual pursuits, fostering an environment where she could thrive academically. This support was instrumental in allowing her to pursue higher education at a time when opportunities for women were limited. Additionally, Mansfield grew up in a progressive community in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, that was receptive to new ideas and social change. This forward-thinking atmosphere provided fertile ground for her aspirations and ambitions, allowing her to challenge traditional gender roles.
Mansfield’s religious upbringing also played a significant role in shaping her worldview. She belonged to the Quaker religious tradition, which advocated for social justice and equality. These principles instilled in her a strong sense of fairness and a commitment to fighting for the rights of others, particularly women. This religious foundation provided her with a moral compass and a framework for understanding and challenging societal injustices.
These external factors, combined with Mansfield’s innate intelligence, unwavering determination, and strong work ethic, propelled her towards her historic achievement. By successfully challenging the prevailing norms and overcoming societal barriers, she paved the way for countless other women to pursue careers in law. Her admission to the Iowa bar was a landmark moment in the history of women’s rights and a testament to her perseverance and resilience.
Although Mansfield did not actively practice law after her admission to the bar, focusing instead on teaching and women’s rights advocacy, she remained a powerful symbol of hope and inspiration for aspiring women lawyers. She dedicated her life to championing women’s suffrage and education, recognizing that these were essential prerequisites for achieving true equality. Her work as an educator and activist helped lay the groundwork for future generations of women to enter the legal profession and other male-dominated fields. In 1909, during her travels in Japan, she received a cancer diagnosis. Despite this, she continued working for several months until her passing on August 2, 1911.
Arabella Mansfield’s legacy continues to inspire. Numerous awards and scholarships in her name honor her groundbreaking achievements and encourage future generations of women to pursue legal careers. The ongoing struggle for equality in the legal profession highlights the enduring relevance of her work and the continued need for gender equality advocates. Her story reminds us of the importance of challenging societal norms, fighting for justice, and never giving up on one’s dreams, regardless of the obstacles.
Barbara Jordan:
1936 – 1996
Barbara Jordan, a distinguished figure in American politics, was born in Houston, Texas, in 1936. The daughter of a Baptist pastor and a skilled orator, Jordan’s upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of faith and a passion for public speaking. These qualities would later shape her illustrious career in law and politics.
Jordan’s academic journey led her to Texas Southern University, where she earned a law degree in 1959. The following year, she began practicing law in Houston, marking the start of her professional career. However, her ambitions extended beyond the courtroom. Jordan’s interest in politics was ignited during John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1960, where she actively participated.
Her initial foray into electoral politics was not without its challenges. Jordan experienced two unsuccessful runs for the Texas House of Representatives before her breakthrough in 1966. That year, she was elected to the Texas Senate, making history as the first African American state senator in Texas since 1883 and the first Black woman ever elected to the Texas state legislature. This victory shattered racial and gender barriers, paving the way for future generations of minority women in politics.
Jordan’s leadership skills and political acumen were quickly recognized. In 1972, she was elected president pro tempore of the Texas Senate, a remarkable achievement that made her the first Black woman in America to preside over a legislative body. This accomplishment further solidified her reputation as a trailblazer and a champion of underrepresented groups. Later that year, Jordan’s political career reached new heights when she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. This victory was historic, as she became the first African American in the twentieth century elected to Congress from the Deep South. In Congress, Jordan’s approach was marked by a strategic pursuit of influence and change within the existing systems. She valued her independence and was cautious about aligning too closely with any particular interest group, maintaining a focus on serving her constituents and upholding her principles.
Jordan’s national prominence surged in 1974 during the impeachment hearings against President Nixon. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, her opening statement captivated the nation with its eloquence and unwavering commitment to the Constitution. Her words resonated deeply with Americans, establishing her as a powerful voice of reason and a staunch defender of democratic values.
Throughout her career, Jordan remained a tireless advocate for civil rights and voting rights. She actively sought legislative solutions to expand the reach and impact of landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Her commitment to social justice extended to her constituents, particularly the working class. She sponsored bills aimed at improving their lives, including measures to extend Social Security benefits and provide tax credits to low-income individuals. Jordan’s oratory skills and political influence were on full display in 1976 when she delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. This historic moment marked her as the first woman and the first African American to hold this prestigious role. Her speech, delivered against the backdrop of the national bicentennial and in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal, struck a chord with Americans and cemented her status as a powerful and inspiring figure.
In 1978, Jordan made the decision not to seek re-election to the House. Instead, she accepted an appointment as the Lyndon Johnson Chair in National Policy at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin. In this role, she continued to share her insights and expertise on national affairs through lectures and public speaking engagements. Her commitment to public service remained unwavering, as evidenced by her appointment by President Clinton in 1994 to lead the Commission on Immigration Reform.
Jordan’s passing in 1996 marked the end of an era, but her legacy continues to inspire. She is remembered for her exceptional oratory skills, her unwavering defense of the Constitution, and her pioneering role in opening doors for countless minority women in politics. Barbara Jordan’s life and career stand as a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of public service, and the enduring pursuit of justice and equality.
Sophonisba Breckinridge:
1866 – 1948
Sophonisba Preston Breckinridge was an American activist, social reformer, social scientist, and innovator in higher education. She was born in Lexington, Kentucky on April 1, 1866. At fourteen, she attended the Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanical College (now known as the University of Kentucky). In 1888, she graduated from Wellesley College.
Breckinridge was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in political science and economics, then a J.D. at the University of Chicago. She was also the first woman to pass the Kentucky bar. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent her as a delegate to the 7th Pan-American Conference in Uruguay in 1933, making her the first woman to represent the U.S. government at an international conference.
Breckinridge came from a politically active and socially prominent family. Her paternal grandfather was the abolitionist minister Robert Jefferson Breckinridge, and her maternal grandfather was General Joseph Desha, a U.S. Representative and the ninth governor of Kentucky.
After graduating from Wellesley College, Breckinridge worked as a high school teacher in Washington, D.C. She later studied the legal system in her father’s law office and in 1895 became the first woman admitted to the Kentucky bar. Due to a lack of work in Kentucky, she left to become a secretary to Marion Talbot, the Dean of Women at the University of Chicago. She later enrolled as a graduate student and received a Ph.M. in 1897 and a Ph.D. in political science and economics in 1901. In 1904, she became the first woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School and the first woman to be admitted to the Order of the Coif.
As a social scientist, Breckinridge focused on public policy and social reforms with an emphasis on immigrants, African Americans, child laborers, and working women in American urban centers. She was involved with the Women’s Trade Union League and collaborated with other social reformers on issues such as vocational training, housing, juvenile delinquency and truancy. In 1920, she earned tenure as associate professor at the University of Chicago. From 1923 to 1929, she was also dean in the College of Arts, Literature and Science. She earned full professorship in 1925. She led the process of creating the academic professional discipline and degree for social work.
Breckinridge and Edith Abbott played an important role in designing, promoting, and implementing several New Deal programs, including the Social Security Act of 1935. Breckinridge also helped promote the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Breckinridge continued teaching public welfare courses until 1942. She passed away on July 30, 1948, at 82. She is remembered as an author, activist, and member of many organizations who broke barriers for women and made significant contributions to social reform and higher education.
Mary Florence Lathrop:
1865 – 1951
Born on December 10, 1865, Mary Florence Lathrop was a pioneer in the legal field, shattering glass ceilings and paving the way for countless women to follow in her footsteps. As the first woman to establish a law practice in Denver, Colorado, she defied societal expectations and proved that women were just as capable as men in the legal profession. Her admission into the American Bar Association, as one of the first two women to join the prestigious organization, further solidified her status as a trailblazer.
Lathrop’s career was marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements. She fearlessly argued cases before the Colorado Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming the first woman to do so in both instances. Her legal acumen and unwavering determination earned her the respect of her peers and opened doors for other women to pursue careers in law.
Lathrop was not content with simply breaking barriers for herself; she used her legal expertise to advocate for social justice and equality. She was a passionate champion of laws that protected the rights of women and children, recognizing the unique challenges they faced in a society that often marginalized them. Her tireless efforts helped to create a more equitable legal system and improve the lives of countless individuals.
Beyond her legal career, Lathrop was also a dedicated community leader. During World War II, she demonstrated her patriotism and compassion by entertaining thousands of soldiers, providing them with a much-needed respite from the horrors of war. Her selfless service earned her the Distinguished Citizenship Medal, a testament to her unwavering commitment to her country and her fellow citizens.
Lathrop’s journey was not without its challenges. She faced discrimination and prejudice from some of her male colleagues, who resented her presence in a traditionally male-dominated profession. Her male peers would not shake her hand, and they called her “That Damned Woman,” but Mary Lathrop kept a stiff upper lip when she appeared in court.
She refused to let their negativity deter her from pursuing her dreams. She exclaimed, “I’m either a lawyer or I’m not; and [I] don’t go dragging my being a woman into it!”. Her resilience and unwavering focus on her goals allowed her to achieve remarkable success and inspire countless others to do the same.
Mary Lathrop worked eight hours a day, six days a week until her death at age 85. Her legacy continues to resonate today. She is remembered as a pioneer, a visionary, and a champion of justice. Her courage, determination, and unwavering belief in equality paved the way for future generations of female lawyers and helped to create a more just and equitable society for all.
Written by: Kaylin Shackelford
Kaylin Shackelford is our Web and Social Media Specialist. She has a passion for data and creativity. Kaylin uses her experience to understand how to connect the Barrow Brown Carrington brand with their clients across all platforms
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