Florence Ellinwood Allen

Date of Birth: March 23, 1884

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: September 12, 1966

Biography

Florence Ellinwood Allen was an American judge and pioneering figure in the legal profession. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, she moved with her family to Cleveland, Ohio, where she spent much of her life. Allen was a trailblazer for women in law, achieving several historic firsts throughout her career. She graduated from Western Reserve University and then pursued further studies at the University of Chicago and New York University School of Law, where she earned her law degree in 1913. She began her career in private practice and quickly became involved in the suffrage movement, advocating for women’s voting rights. Allen’s legal prowess and dedication to justice led to her appointment as Assistant Prosecutor of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1919. Just a year later, she was elected as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Cuyahoga County, making her the first woman to serve on a general jurisdiction court in the United States. In 1922, Allen was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, becoming the first woman to sit on a state supreme court. Her judicial career continued to flourish, and in 1934, she was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, making her the first woman to serve on a federal appellate court. She served with distinction until her retirement in 1959. Allen was known for her sharp legal mind, her commitment to civil rights, and her trailblazing efforts to break down gender barriers in the legal profession. She authored several books and articles during her lifetime, sharing her experiences and advocating for greater opportunities for women in law.

5 Interesting Facts about Florence Ellinwood Allen

1. Florence Ellinwood Allen was the first woman to serve on a state supreme court (Ohio Supreme Court) and a federal appellate court (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit).

2. Before her legal career, Allen was a concert pianist and studied music in Germany.

3. She was deeply involved in the women’s suffrage movement and used her legal expertise to help secure voting rights for women.

4. Allen authored several books, including “This Constitution of Ours” and “To Do Justly,” sharing her insights on the legal system and her career.

5. She remained active in promoting civil rights and gender equality throughout her life, even after her retirement from the bench.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Florence Ellinwood Allen

1. “The advancement of women in the legal profession must be achieved by women themselves, through their own efforts and capabilities.”

2. “Justice is not a cloistered virtue; she must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny and respectful, even though outspoken, comments of ordinary men.”

3. “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”

4. “Our duty is to uphold the law, but also to seek justice. The two are not always one and the same.”

5. “Equality before the law is one of the most basic principles of our society, and it must be upheld at all costs.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Florence Ellinwood Allen’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but her contributions to the legal field and her historic achievements are invaluable.