March 20th Pearl of Women Achievers: 1996 Woman of Achievement for Heritage Marion Griffin was not only the first woman licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee, she was also the first woman elected to the Tennessee General Assembly. Despite her accomplishments, it was no easy road getting there. After being barred from the legal profession twice solely on the basis of her gender, Marion Griffin enrolled in the University of Michigan to earn the degree of Bachelor of Laws. She returned to Tennessee to lobby the legislature to pass an act giving women the right to practice law in the jurisdiction. At first she was, in her words, “greeted with wisecracks and guffaws,” but she persisted and ultimately the bill was passed on Feb. 13, 1907. On July 1, she became the first woman admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of the State of Tennessee. She practiced law in Memphis for more than 40 years. Each day a special moment of women’s history – “Pearls of Women Achievers” – selected and written by Rhodes student leader Alex Dileo, will be shared online and at womenofachievement.org as the awards program for outstanding Memphis and Shelby County women celebrates its 30thanniversary. The culmination of the “30 Days” will be the 2014 Women of Achievement awards on March 30 at the Holiday Inn- University of Memphis. The third volume of WA essays will be for sale and past honorees will be invited to sign the three volumes at a book-signing party at 4 p.m. The 2014 awards and reception will begin at 5 p.m. Make reservations for $30 at 30thwomenofachievement.eventbrite or mail to Women of Achievement at 2574 Sam Cooper Blvd., 38112.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:40:02 +0000
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