This Women’s History Month, our practice would like to shine a light on two women who made history in Maryland. Margaret Brent and Etta Haynie Maddox were Maryland’s first female attorneys, working to their utmost even in a political climate that didn’t accept them. We thought this month would be a good time to learn a little bit more about these two trailblazers in Maryland law.

Who was Margaret Brent?

Margaret Brent was a significant figure in early colonial Maryland. Born around 1601 in England, she immigrated to the Maryland colony in 1638 with her sister Mary. She was a woman of intelligence and business acumen, and she quickly became involved in colonial affairs. By 10 years after her arrival, Margaret Brent had become a prominent businesswoman and landowner.

Margaret Brent is perhaps best known for her role as a landowner, businesswoman, and political activist in early Maryland. She managed large estates and engaged in various business ventures, including trading and lending money. Brent also played an important role in the colonial government, acting as the executor of the estate of Governor Leonard Calvert, who died in 1647.

One of Margaret Brent’s most famous actions occurred during a period of political instability in Maryland. In 1647, when the Maryland Assembly refused to pay the soldiers defending the colony against Native American attacks, Brent, acting on behalf of Lord Baltimore, requested payment for their services. Her request was denied, but she persisted, even demanding a vote in the Assembly, which was highly unusual for a woman at the time. When the Assembly refused, she famously stated, “Where is justice?”

Per the University of Maryland:

In 1656, her duties completed for the Governor’s estate, Brent moved to Virginia. Notwithstanding Brent’s rejection in the General Assembly, as she was denied both “voyce” and “vote” in the civic affairs of the Colony, Brent did her duty, ably served as Governor Calvert’s administrator, handled a rigorous case load over 8 years, understood the necessity of her actions to avoid the soldiers’ mutiny, and had to weather Lord Baltimore’s invective when she should have been uniformly praised as a hero.

Margaret Brent’s actions challenged traditional gender roles and norms, and she is often regarded as one of the earliest examples of feminist activism in colonial America. While her demands were not entirely successful, her assertiveness and determination left a lasting legacy.

Margaret Brent died around 1671, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering woman in early colonial America. She is remembered as a shrewd businesswoman, a courageous political activist, and a symbol of female empowerment in the face of adversity.

Who was Etta Haynie Maddox?

Etta Haynie Maddox was a multi-faceted woman who made significant contributions in the areas of law, music, and women’s suffrage. She was born around 1860 (although the specific year isn’t known) and died in 1933.

In 1902, Etta became the first woman licensed to practice law in the state, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of female lawyers. She was actively involved in the women’s suffrage movement, co-founding the Maryland Suffrage Association in 1894. Additionally, she wrote the first Maryland suffrage bill, presented to the state legislature in 1910.

Before pursuing law, Etta had a successful career as a vocalist. She studied at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory of Music and performed in various locations, including Baltimore and other cities.

She graduated from the Baltimore Law School in 1901, facing challenges due to existing regulations restricting the legal profession to men. Ms. Maddox’s determination and advocacy led to a change in Maryland law, allowing her to take the bar exam and become a lawyer in 1902. Despite passing the bar, the Maryland Bar Association did not allow her in, and wouldn’t allow women for several more decades.

However, Ms. Maddox practiced law for several years and, alongside her sister Emma Funck, became actively involved in the women’s suffrage movement. As a co-founder of the Maryland Suffrage Association, established in 1894, she drafted Maryland’s inaugural suffrage bill, which saw introduction during the 1910 session of the General Assembly. Ms. Maddox, accompanied by hundreds of suffragists from across the nation, attended a hearing in the House of Delegates to advocate for the bill. Unfortunately, it was tabled, and Maryland did not grant women the right to vote until the United States Constitution was amended in 1920.

Although Maryland ultimately rejected women’s suffrage at the state level, Etta’s contributions are recognized as instrumental in advancing the movement and paving the way for the 19th Amendment granting women’s suffrage on a national level.

Etta Haynie Maddox is remembered as a pioneer in the legal field, a passionate advocate for women’s rights, and a talented musician who left her mark on Maryland history.

This month we honor these two important women in Maryland legal history. We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about them.

Carey Law Office maintains offices in Bowie and Dunkirk, and serves all of Calvert County. We provide comprehensive counsel to people in Maryland facing criminal charges of any kind. Call or contact us today to learn more.