Katherine White
Professor S. Simmonds
English 101: Composition
29, November 2014
Ladies of the Law
Over the ages many women have paved the way for others, like them, to be accepted by a profession and the society, as equals. This has proved a long and difficult task in a culture that predominantly believed men were the only capable beings of bringing home the bacon. Many women have fought tooth and nail for the rights of their sex to vote and hold positions never given to a woman before. Of these women there were few who conquered the task of entering a man’s’ world and being recognized for their acts. Law Enforcement is one of those professions. The first women of law enforcement opened the door for others to enter, and proved that sex alone cannot dictate inferiority.
Although there were two “Matrons” hired by New York City police department in 1845. Mrs. Mary Owens was a true pioneer in the world of policing for women. As the widow of a law man killed on duty, she was the first female to be granted arrest powers in 1893, by the Chicago Police Department. Mrs. Owens was granted employment as a sort of death benefit from her husband’s passing. Mrs. Owens duties were assisting the agency with cases that involved women and children. (National Center for Women in Policing [NCWP], 2005) Although her role resembled what is now considered social work, Mrs. Owens opened the door for aspiring women all over the nation during her thirty years of service. (NCWP, 2005) In 1905 Lola Baldwin was the first sworn female officer in the United States. Baldwin was granted police powers and made the head of a group of social workers. The group’s role was to assist the Portland, Oregon Police Department, when needed. (NCWP, 2005) Although there were at least two phenomenal ladies ahead of her, Alice Stebbin Wells, is considered by several historians as the “First” female