An Honest Living

When I turned 21 at the turn of the century, I was working as a
stenographer, studying law with the purpose of becoming a lawyer.
Being of legal age, and as was the custom at the time, I went before
two judges for examinations, and I was found to be qualified.When I
petitioned the supreme court to admit me to the bar, I was rejected on
the sole grounds that I was a woman. A seven year quest ensued at
that moment, for I would not be dissuaded.

The next year I filed a second request. This time a divided court again
denied me, with Justice Wilkes writing a dissenting opinion stating that
he could see, "No valid objection to a woman's practicing law...That
women have by the force of their own indomitable will and purpose
opened up their way in to all avenues of business and trade. A woman
should be given a chance to make an honest living, and whether she
makes it by necessity or choice, she should not be disbarred from it
except for good legal reasons."

Chorus
Men have a right to do their business
And women should have the same
No favoritism need be shown
And it's a rough and tumble game
I consider myself fortunate to have
Achieved the goal I saw
To make an honest living
In the profession of law

Though not required at the time, I did attend law college at the
University of Michigan, passing with good grades, completing
every course offered in the three year curriculum in 9 months.
Law schools were a problem. One well known school refused
women, with the Dean exclaiming that women would
gain admission "only over his dead body." Shortly after he left the
college to become a Supreme Court Justice, a group of the first
women admitted as law students sent him a telegram that said,
"We expect that you are lying prone on the courthouse steps today."
They never did receive a reply.

Chorus...

I came back to Memphis with renewed determination. Having no
other recourse I took my request to the Legislature, urging the State
to pass an act to allow women to practice law in Tennessee. At first
I was met with some guffaws and wisecracks, but finally succeeded
in getting it passed on February 13, 1907. "Be it enacted by the general
assembly...That any woman of the age of 21 years and otherwise
possessing the necessary qualifications, who shall apply for the same,
may be granted a license to practice law in the courts of this State."

Chorus...