Belva Lockwood

Hello! My name is Belva Lockwood. I was born on a farm in Royalton, New York, on October 24th, 1830. Even as a little girl, I loved to read and learn. I dreamed of going to college, but back then, most people thought a girl’s place was at home, not in a classroom. When I was just 14 years old, I became a teacher, but I was paid less than half of what the male teachers earned for the same job! That didn't seem fair to me, and it sparked a fire in me to fight for fairness for the rest of my life.

After my first husband passed away, I knew I had to support myself and my young daughter, Lura. I was determined to get the college education I had always wanted. It wasn't easy, but I worked hard and in 1857, I graduated with honors from Genesee College in New York. Later, I decided I wanted to become a lawyer to help change unfair laws. I moved to Washington, D.C., but every law school I applied to told me 'no,' just because I was a woman. They said I would be a distraction to the male students. But I never, ever give up.

Finally, in 1871, the new National University Law School let me in. I studied hard and passed all my classes, but when it was time to graduate in 1873, the school refused to give me my diploma! I was so angry, but I didn't just get sad. I took action! I wrote a letter directly to the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. I told him what happened, and guess what? He agreed it was wrong, and a week later, I received my diploma. I was officially a lawyer!

Being a lawyer was one thing, but I soon discovered another closed door. Women were not allowed to argue cases in the highest court in the country, the Supreme Court. I spent five years talking to lawmakers, persuading them to change this rule. Finally, in 1879, a new law was passed, and I became the very first woman allowed to argue before the Supreme Court. It was a huge victory! I used my position to help many people, including women and Native Americans, who were not being treated fairly.

Even though women couldn’t vote yet, I knew we deserved to have our voices heard in politics. So, in 1884, I did something no woman had ever seriously done before: I ran for President of the United States! I ran again in 1888. I didn't expect to win, but I wanted to show the whole country that a woman was just as capable of leading as any man. My campaign posters said, 'I cannot vote, but I can be voted for.' It made people think and talk about women's rights in a whole new way.

I lived a long and very full life, and I got to see the world begin to change. I lived to be 86 years old, working for peace and equality until the very end. Though I didn't live to see the day all women in America could vote, it happened just three years after I was gone. I am remembered as a woman who broke down barriers and dared to do what others said was impossible. I hope my story reminds you that no door is truly closed if you have the courage to knock it down.