As we look around today, we forget how the legal profession hasn’t always been a welcoming place for women. Throughout the centuries, many determined trailblazers have given us the chance to study law. From queens, to the first women in courtrooms, these ladies weren’t just breaking barriers — they were rewriting the rules entirely. So as the year wraps up, let us take a stroll through history and take a brief glance at the women who have changed law for us today.
Queen Isabella I of Castile
Queen Isabella I of Castile was at the center of Spain's profound political and social transformation in the 15th century. She introduced the Santa Hermandad (Holy Brotherhood), a centralised police force tasked with enforcing the law, and overhauled the courts to rid the benches of nepotism and instead appointing judges based on merit. Her reign was marked by her dedication to legal education and promoting legal studies. As queen, she was more than just a strong leader; she was revolutionary for her country’s legal system.
Margaret Brent
The 16th century had a fair bit of change, and Margaret Brent was right at the heart of it. This Englishwoman made waves in Colonial America when she demanded a vote in the Maryland Assembly in 1648, and became the first woman to appear before a court of the common law. Therefore, she’s often known as the first female lawyer in Colonial America. Despite being turned down, this bold move became one of the earliest signs that women weren’t going to stay silent and was a step closer to the seemingly uncrossable obstacle of entering law.
Elene Cornaro Piscopia
Elena Cornaro Piscopia from Italy was not an official lawyer, but was one of the first women in Europe to receive a university degree in Philosophy in 1678. She was an advocate for women’s education, contributing for even more women to pursue tertiary education, proving that knowledge should not be limited by gender.
Myra Colby Bradwell
Myra Colby Bradwell from the United States is known for fighting for women’s right to practice law. She started the first female-edited legal publication, the weekly Chicago Legal News, in 1868. The journal offered opinions and covered legal developments. It soon rose to prominence as a reliable source of legal news. She attempted the Illinois Bar, being the first woman to pass, but was denied permission due to her gender. Her determined claim for reconsideration and bringing her case again and again forward finally caused the Illinois Supreme Court to give her the right to practice law in 1890. Despite not having much time to practice law, her resolve throughout the years trickled down to impact the rights us women have to practice law today.
Cornelia Sorabji
In the recent 20th century, Cornelia Sorabji was the first woman to practice law in India. She was also the first woman to graduate from Oxford in 1892. For many years, she served as a "Lady Assistant" to the Court of Wards as a legal advisor to women and children in provincial courts. She protected widows in her work, fought for the abolition of child marriage, and much more.
We may not have heard of many of these names before, and I encourage us to do our own research and further read about how our lives have been indirectly shaped by so many women in history, fighting for he chance to study and practice law today. These brief facts barely cover what incredible feats these women have accomplished. They were undoubtedly pioneers in the legal field, and their fervent work contributed to giving us what we have today. While it’s amazing to look at how far we have come, women in law still face many prejudices, and we must work hard to continue building a platform that empowers all of us to rise.
Mia Zhou
First Year Law Student
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