Stevens Memorial Library (North Andover)

Rebels at the bar, the fascinating, forgotten stories of America's first women lawyers, Jill Norgren

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 249-254) and index

collective biography

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Rebels at the bar

bibliography

812122341

Jill Norgren

the fascinating, forgotten stories of America's first women lawyers

In Rebels at the Bar, prize-winning legal historian Jill Norgren recounts the life stories of a small group of nineteenth century women who were among the first female attorneys in the United States. Beginning in the late 1860s, these determined rebels pursued the radical ambition of entering the then all-male profession of law. They were motivated by a love of learning. They believed in fair play and equal opportunity. They desired recognition as professionals and the ability to earn a good living. Rebels at the Bar expands our understanding of both women's rights and the history of the legal profession in the nineteenth century. It focuses on the female renegades who trained in law and then, like men, fought considerable odds to create successful professional lives. In this engaging and beautifully written book, Norgren shares her subjects' faith in the art of the possible. In so doing, she ensures their place in history

The women's war -- White knights and legal knaves -- Myra Bradwell : the Supreme Court says no -- Lavinia Goodell : "A sweeping revolution of social order" -- Belva A. Lockwood : the first woman member of the U.S. Supreme Court bar -- Clara Foltz's story : breaking barriers in the west -- Not everyone is bold : Mary Hall and Catharine Waugh McCulloch in conversation -- Lelia Robinson and Mary Greene : two women from Boston University School of Law -- Law as a woman's enterprise -- Epilogue