2025-07 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/27/2025
Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood (1830-1917) was an American lawyer, politician, educator, and author who was active in the women's rights and women's suffrage movements. She was one of the first women lawyers in the United States, although she completed her coursework in May 1873, the law school refused to grant her a diploma because of her gender. She wrote a letter to the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant stating she had passed all her courses and deserved to be awarded a diploma. In September 1873, within a week of having sent the letter, Lockwood received her Bachelor of Laws. She was 43 years old. And in 1879 she became the first woman to be admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court. Lockwood ran for president in 1884 and 1888 on the ticket of the National Equal Rights Party and was the first woman to appear on official ballots. While Victoria Woodhull is commonly cited as the first woman to run for president, Lockwood was the first one to appear on any ballots, due to Woodhull being too young for the presidency when she ran. Clipped Signature "Belva A. Lockwood, Barrister, 619 F. St., Wash. D.C."
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