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Introduction to Women in Law
For many years, women were not involved in the legal process and could not vote or practice law. Over time they did whatever they could to involve themselves and eventually gained rights that any other person would have. Since then, they have progressed further and many women are now attorneys and there are many women involved in the supreme court as well thanks to the efforts of those before them. In time, women will continue to grow more fields and continue to do great things. -
Citation for the previous artifact
Garcia, Lauren. “Arabella Mansfield: First Female Lawyer.” In Custodia Legis: Law Librarians of Congress, Library of Congress, January 23, 2024. https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2024/01/arabella-mansfield-first-female-lawyer/. -
First Female Attorney
This is a photograph of Arabella Mansfield, who was the first woman to pas the Bar. She began studying at 16 years old at Iowa Wesleyan College, and eventually took the test when she was 23. At the time, nobody other than men were allowed to take the exam, however she passed it with a very high score and a year later Iowa allowed her to practice law. This is an important event because it was the beginning of a much larger movement of women entering the field of law. -
Citation for the previous artifact
Loyola University Chicago Digital Collections. "Title of the Artifact." Accessed May 6, 2025. https://luc.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_796ab52f-bb4d-4eab-8f7c-e3902d9d3986/. -
Feminist Voice Comic Strip
This is a comic strip taken from "The Feminist Voice" first issue. This comic strip is about a woman who stuck with her beliefs and became a strong and independent woman. This is important because people saw this strip and decided they wanted to be like that. They then started following their passions, helping many others, and joining the field of law all so they could help others who were in their position before. Thankfully, many women may also follow in their steps today and help others. -
Citation for my grandmother
This was a photo of my grandmother when she became an attorney in 1983. This photo was taken in Brentwood, Tennessee. -
Francene Kavin becomes an attorney
This is a photo of my grandmother when she first became an attorney. She grew when women couldn't do much and because of this she wanted to practice law to help people the minute she could. She spent the better part of her life studying and practicing law in order to help out everyone that she could and without Mansfield it wouldn't have been possible. This is all because of the efforts of those who came before her and because of her many others will be inspired to help in the future. -
Citation for the previous artifact
Jenkins, R. Michael, photographer. Ruth Bader Ginsburg at her confirmation hearing / R. Michael Jenkins, Congressional Quarterly. Washington D.C, 1993. [Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly, 7-21-93 21 July] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2019630722/. -
RBG Confirmation Hearing
This photo was taken during Ruth Bater Ginsburg's confirmation hearing to enter the Supreme Court. RBG has been one of the largest activists for women's rights up until her death in 2020. She gave hope to many others and showed that they can all help even if they aren't in a position of power. Because of her, many others have been able to push past their limits set by society and have entered male dominated fields to grow society and and help as many others as they can like those before them. -
Conclusion
Thankfully, due to the efforts of many before them such as RBG and Mansfield, women like my grandmother were able to do amazing things and progress society. Without them, women wouldn't be as prominent in law, and the world around us would be different. Thanks to them, more women can speak up for what they believe and push themselves to help others even if they aren't part of the field of law itself. Hopefully in the future more women will be able to impact the hearts of others even more. -
Bibliography pt. 1
Garcia, Lauren. “Arabella Mansfield: First Female Lawyer.” In Custodia Legis: Law Librarians of Congress, Library of Congress, January 23, 2024. https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2024/01/arabella-mansfield-first-female-lawyer/. Loyola University Chicago Digital Collections. "Title of the Artifact." Accessed May 6, 2025. https://luc.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_796ab52f-bb4d-4eab-8f7c-e3902d9d3986/. -
Bibliography pt. 2
Jenkins, R. Michael, photographer. Ruth Bader Ginsburg at her confirmation hearing / R. Michael Jenkins, Congressional Quarterly. Washington D.C, 1993. [Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly, 7-21-93 21 July] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2019630722/.