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'My Efforts to Become a Lawyer"
Article in which Lockwood discusses her early life and her career as a lawyer, with a focus on the discrimination she faced as a woman.
Lockwood, Belva Ann, 1830-1917
1888-02
15 pages
reformatted digital
Belva Ann Lockwood Papers, SCPC-DG-098
Belva Ann Lockwood Papers, SCPC-DG-098 --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/scpc-dg-098
Lockwood-0068
Q04 MY EFFORTS TO BECOME A LAWYBR.
course of lectures in the Georgetown College Law Class; but when a
call was made by the Chancellor for the settlement of dues my money
was declined, and I was informed by a note from the Chancellor, a few
days later, that I could not become a member of the class. I then
turned my attention to Howard University, and for a time attended the
lectures in that institution; but the fight was getting monotonous and
decidedly one-sided. Some of the justices of the peace in the District,
and Judge William B. Snell of the Police Court, had notified me that
I would be recognized in their respective courts as attorney in the trial
of any case in which I chose to appear ; and Judge Olin had recognized
me in the Probate Court of the District. I had even ventured to bring
suit en'a.contract In a justice court. This procedure was considered
so novel that. it was telegraphed all over the country by the Associated
Press. ‘
I now grew a little bolder, and to a certain extent desperate, and
addressed the following letter to President Grant, then President ex
officio of the National University Law School:
: “No, 482 Nyxvu Srreet., N.W.,
; “Wasuincton, D.C., September 3, 1873.
“To His Excellency U. 8. Grant, President U. 8. A.:
“Srr,—Yon are, or you are not, President of the National Univer-
sity Law School. If you are its President, I desire to say to you that
T have passed through the curriculum of study in this school, and am
entitled to, and demand, my diploma. If you are not its President, then
I ask that you take your name from its paperg, and not hold out to the
world to be what you are not, a
“Very respectfully,
“Betva A. Lockwoop.”
This letter contained about as much bottled-up indignation as it
was possible for one short missive to conceal under a respectful guise.
I received no direct answer, but next week I was presented by the
Chancellor of the University, W. B. Wedgewood, with my - diploma
duly signed, and a few days after I was admitted to the bar.
. On my admission, the clerk remarked, “ You went through to-day, ”
Mrs. Lockwood, like a knife, "You see the world moves in our day.”
Justice Cartter said, “Madam, if you come into this court we shall
treat you likea man.” Justice Arthur McArthur remarked, “ Bring on
as many women lawyers as you choose: I do not believe they will be a
success,’ These comments did not affect me, as I already had my
_hands full of work, and cases ready to file in anticipation of my admis-
sion. My friends had confidence in my ability ; and the attention that
had been called to me in the novel contest I had made not only gave
me a wide advertising, but drew towards me a great deal of substantial
sympathy in the way of work, Besides this, 1 had already booked a
large number of government claims, in which I had been recognized by
the heads of the different Departments as attorney: so that I was not
compelled, like my young brothers of the bar who did not wish to
graduate with a woman, to sit in my office and wait for cases. I have
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Lockwood-0068_10
reformatted digital
Belva Ann Lockwood Papers, SCPC-DG-098 --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/scpc-dg-098
Lockwood-0068_10