Belva Lockwood

A pioneering lawyer and suffragist who became the first woman to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court and run a full presidential campaign, breaking barriers for women in law and politics.

Belva Lockwood (1830–1917) defied 19th-century gender norms by becoming one of the first female attorneys in the United States. After being denied a law degree from Howard University due to her gender, she petitioned Congress to gain admission to the Supreme Court Bar in 1879, a historic first for women.

Lockwood’s landmark case, United States v. Cherokee Nation (1906), secured $5 million for the Cherokee Nation. She also ran for president in 1884 and 1888 as the National Equal Rights Party candidate, decades before women could vote. Her campaigns highlighted issues like equal pay and labor rights, inspiring future reformers like Susan B. Anthony.

Beyond politics, Lockwood advocated for international peace, attending the Universal Peace Congress in 1889. Her tenacity paved the way for figures like Sandra Day O’Connor and Kamala Harris. The Belva Lockwood Award in legal advocacy honors her legacy today.