Emma M. Gillett

Some 50 years ago a young woman from Wisconsin came to Washington to study law. Law schools at that time refused to accept women students. Only the Law School at Howard University would admit her, and Howard University is a Negro institution. Undaunted, the woman from Wisconsin entered Howard, studied with Negroes, received her diploma. In 1881 she was admitted to the District of Columbia bar. Last week in Washington many an organization assembled to honor Emma M. Gillett's memory. Born in a log cabin in Wisconsin in 1852 she was, at the time of her death (January, 1927), Dean of the co-educational Washington College of Law, the only U. S. law school directed by women, founded in 1896 by Miss Gillett and Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey. She had been a co-worker of Susan B. Anthony, had organized the first woman's suffrage lobby, been founder and president of the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia, vice president for the District of Columbia branch of the American Bar association, and chairman of the Lawyer's Council of the National Woman's Party. Mrs. Harvey W. Wiley was chairman of the memorial service committee. Organizations represented included the American Bar Association, the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia, the National Woman's Party, the Federation of Women's Clubs, the League of American Pen Women, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Women's City Club of Washington.