19 Facts About Myra Bradwell

Myra Colby Bradwell was an American publisher and political activist.

Myra Bradwell attempted in 1869 to become the first woman to be admitted to the Illinois bar to practice law, but was denied admission by the Illinois Supreme Court in 1870 and the United States Supreme Court in 1873, in rulings upholding a separate women's sphere.

In 1994, Myra Bradwell was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Myra Bradwell Colby was born on February 12,1831, in Manchester, Vermont, to Eben Colby and Abigail Willey.

Myra Bradwell lived with her family in Vermont and Western New York during her childhood.

Myra Bradwell attended schools in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and later enrolled in Elgin Female Seminary in Illinois.

James Bradwell was the head of a private school, where Myra Bradwell became a teacher.

Myra Bradwell completed her formal education by age 24 and taught herself the practice of law.

In 1855, they moved to Chicago, where James Myra Bradwell was admitted to the Chicago Bar.

Myra Bradwell was an apprentice in her husband's office and assisted him with legal research and writing.

Myra Bradwell raised funds to help aid the wounded soldiers during the American Civil War.

Myra Bradwell was a member of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission.

Myra Bradwell was determined to improve women's status in society, so the paper included a column entitled "Law Relating to Women".

Myra Bradwell continued her work on the Chicago Legal News where she was the journal's publisher, business manager, and editor-in-chief.

Myra Bradwell became an active member in the women's suffrage movement, serving as Secretary of the Illinois Women Suffrage Association.

Myra Bradwell insisted that women's equality was a non-partisan issue.

Myra Bradwell was later denied admission to the Virginia bar and in 1893 the United States Supreme court refused to force Virginia to admit her, citing its decision in Bradwell's case.

On March 28,1892, Myra Bradwell then received her license to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Myra Bradwell died of cancer on February 14,1894, just four years after she was admitted to the bar.