Women did not have an easy start when entering the field of law, it took years and landmark court cases to gain acceptance into the legal field. The hesitation was clear that society did not think women had the ability to practice law, it was a career field subjected for men that was not seen as a proper place for women as they were only seen as wives and mothers. As women began to challenge the law, they were able to gain acceptance to a select few law schools by 1870, however it took almost ten years for the bar to be open to all qualified women.
After the passing of the anti-discrimination legislation women did not have difficulty gaining access to the bar as it opened the federal bar to all qualified women (Norgren, 2010, p. 73). From this point the 'First Generation' of women lawyers were introduced. These ladies opened a new chapter in the progress of women lawyers, they practiced civil and criminal law both solo and in partnership and lobbied on the issues of their time. Including, suffrage, temperance, race, prison conditions, and international peace; the 'First Generation' also authored books, articles, and newspaper columns (Norgren, 2010, p.74). These women created the stepping stones for all women lawyers today.
After the passing of the anti-discrimination legislation women did not have difficulty gaining access to the bar as it opened the federal bar to all qualified women (Norgren, 2010, p. 73). From this point the 'First Generation' of women lawyers were introduced. These ladies opened a new chapter in the progress of women lawyers, they practiced civil and criminal law both solo and in partnership and lobbied on the issues of their time. Including, suffrage, temperance, race, prison conditions, and international peace; the 'First Generation' also authored books, articles, and newspaper columns (Norgren, 2010, p.74). These women created the stepping stones for all women lawyers today.