Research Myra Bradwell
An American heroine of the 19th century and the first female to seek constitutional protection under the 14th Amendment from sex discrimination.
"I need not be a ghoul if I am for a woman’s rights."
— Myra Bradwell, 1869
Her Story
Myra Bradwell (1831–1894) was a pioneering American lawyer, publisher, and women's rights advocate. She founded the Chicago Legal News in 1868, becoming one of the first women to run a successful legal publication in the United States.
Despite passing the Illinois bar exam with high honors, she was denied admission to the bar solely because of her sex — a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and became a landmark in the history of women's rights.
Bradwell's tireless advocacy helped reshape American law and opened doors for generations of women in the legal profession.
Her Legacy Lives On
Myra Bradwell's fight for equality laid the groundwork for generations of women in law and journalism. Her story is one of resilience, intellect, and unwavering conviction.