Legally Female - Brief History of Women in Law

A Brief Historical Overview of Women in the Law
For years, women faced a unique challenge in their efforts to penetrate the profession of the practice of law. Unlike other professions, all institutions of the law, namely the law schools, the bar associations and the courts, were under the exclusive control of men. Women were left with no door to enter this entirely male-controlled monopoly…and men didn’t want to let women into their turf. Therefore, the history of women in the law is closely connected to the women’s suffragist movement in its early stage and later, the women’s rights movement. For example, by 1890, about five percent of doctors in the United States were women as opposed to only a handful of women who were individually gaining the right to practice law on a state by state basis. By 1930, fifty years later, only two percent of all American lawyers and judges were women. As a subset, African-American women, often slaves, have an early powerful history in pursuing the law as a means of obtaining their own freedom. In 1655, Elizabeth Kay, a slave, sued for her freedom by arguing that her status should be determined by the ancestry of her father, a free white, rather than that of her mother, a slave. Although Ms. Key won her case, in 1662, the Commonwealth of Virginia responded by legislating that whether or not a child is a slave or a free person will be determined in accordance with their mother’s status (thereby overturning the court’s decision).
The Eighteenth Century remained a period of little change for the status of women in the law, both in terms of their rights as women and their right to be lawyers. Women generally could not own property and were even themselves considered to be the property of their husbands! (Oh My God, as Elle Woods would say!) The 1700s found women slaves again arguing in court for their right to be free. Notably, in 1781, Mum Bett won her independence from slavery in a Massachusetts court after advising her counsel to use the constitutional premise that “all men are born free and equal.” This is seen as the first time that a state constitution was used to challenge slavery. Following her victory, she changed her name to Elizabeth Freemen. Slightly over a century later, it would be another African-American woman, Lutie A. Lytle, who would become the first woman law professor in the nation.
Beginning with Belle A. Mansfield in 1869 in Iowa, women slowly began gaining the right to practice law, state by state…In 1923, Delaware was the last state to admit women to the bar. In 1869, Lemma Barkaloo entered the Law Department of Washington University in St. Louis, thus becoming the first woman law student in the nation. She did not complete her studies but passed the Missouri bar upon the conclusion of her first year of study and began practicing in 1870. It is interesting to note that of all the regions in the US, the Northeast, with the highest concentration of male attorneys, the longest history of male attorneys, and the most prestigious law schools, was the most resistant to the admission of women to the practice of law. In fact, Harvard University, ostensibly the best law school in the nation (and law school of choice for Elle Woods in Legally Blonde), did not admit women to its law school until as late as 1950.
From early on, as women entered the profession of law, contrasting views have arisen as to their role and contribution to the law. On one hand, women have argued that there is no difference in the way law is practiced by men and women, that the two genders are equivalent and thus equal in all aspects. However, another argument is made that women have brought to the law a unique perspective, one that is less adversarial than the traditional method (established by men) of trying cases in a court of law and declaring one side the winner and the other the loser. In an effort to find case resolution that entertains the philosophy of a “win-win” instead, women have expanded the law into areas of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation, especially in the areas of employment and family law, where it is not necessarily appropriate or desirable to have an outright winner and loser. Similarly, a more gentle approach to adjudication has been suggested by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In a speech given shortly before her nomination to the Supreme Court, Ginsburg suggested that “[m]easured motions seem to me right, in the main, for constitutional as well as common law adjudication. Doctrinal limbs too swiftly shaped, experience teaches, may prove unstable.” Ginsburg has also urged that the Supreme Court allow for dialogue with elected branches, a notion not previously considered by the men who served before her.













BOYD OWEN (Baron Von Owen) Boyd’s love of performing began at an early age and, since finishing his studies at Melba Conservatorium of Music in Australia; Boyd has performed in productions around the world. Boyd’s operatic experience has included understudying the title role in Mozart’s opera, La Clemenza di Tito for the Masterworks Festival in Indiana, USA (2006) and a return invitation by this same festival to perform the role of Gastone in Verdi’s La Traviata (2007). As well as contracts with Victorian Opera’s touring season of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte (2007) and Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea, Boyd has appeared with More Than Opera as Alfredo in their performances of Traviata En Miniature in the Famous Spiegeltent as part of Melbourne International Festival Season (2007), and performed in the roles of Basilio and Curzio in Melbourne Opera’s The Marriage Of Figaro (2008).Boyd’s concert performances include several years as guest soloist in Carols By Candlelight at Werribee Mansion in Melbourne (2005, 2006, 2008), soloist in Opera in the Alps and Opera by the Lock for Australian Music Events (2006, 2007) and Opera in the Park. Also in the USA, Boyd appeared in the cast of the workshop season of the new Broadway musical, Angels (2007). Boyd has also worked throughout the USA, Europe and Australasia with promotion and sales for his CD titled Songno (2008).Boyd is very excited and grateful to be joining The Ten Tenors. To have the opportunity to continue doing what he dreamt of as a child – to travel the world and make a full time living in the entertainment and arts industries.
DOMINIC SMITH (Panda) Dominic Smith was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia. He first performed with The Ten Tenors in 1997 and has been a member, on and off, ever since. Before joining The Ten Tenors Dominic had an illustrious career as a Shoe Salesmen, a Banker, a Delivery Driver and his favorite, a Lawn Mower Man! His singing career began when he asked his best mates sister to teach him to sing and since that day he has never looked back. Dominic loves travel and over the years he has been to 25 countries and well over 500 cities and towns all over the world. Dominic has plenty of great stories to tell about his worldly travels but until you corner him in a bar somewhere, what goes on tour stays on tour. When he’s not on the road with The Ten Tenors Dominic loves to disappear to a quite part of the world and fish, play golf and dream of all those far off places he hopes to one day see.
STEVEN SOWDEN (The Biscuit) Steven pursued music from an early age, and subsequently graduated from the Central Queensland University Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music Theatre in 2004 where he played leading roles in Aspects of Love, Chess, Chicago and Footloose. Following a year of touring Australia with varius shows, Steven moved abroad in 2006 and completed an extended contract performance in the Broadway Musical Theatre Revue Encore at Japan’s Tokyo DisneySea. Steve became the newest member of The Ten Tenors back in 2007, and looks forward to many more years of touring with the boys, and wowing new audiences all over the world. On the road he keeps himself occupied with various pursuits including but not limited to, golf, scripture, films, poker and skyping his wonderfully accommodating and beautiful wife.
TOD STRIKE (Old Man Strike) After having gained his Bachelor of Arts in Music, Tod quickly moved into the professional performance arena with appearances in The State Opera Of Queensland’s (Australia) productions of Turandot and Otello and went on to play Goro in Madame Butterfly for the State Music Festival. After discovering a love for Musical Theatre he pursued a career in musicals with performances in The Merry Widow, Kiss Me Kate (Gremio), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Forum (Protean, U/S Hero), Grease (Sonny, U/S Kenickie), They’re Playing Our Song, South Pacific, Footloose (Travis, U/S Williard) and the Australasian and International touring productions of CATS (Rum Tug Tugger, Gus, Munkustrap, Old Deuteronomy). Tod later went on to perform with the critically acclaimed international touring act “The Three Waiters”. Tod is looking forward to a great year with The Ten Tenors and intends to enjoy every minute of this thing he’s lucky enough to call ‘work’. He dedicates each and every performance to his mother, Eva, who was and will always be his source of inspiration, and to his amazing support network.
JEFF TEALE (Teals) Jeff Teale was only really introduced to the world of performing arts at the age of 19. As a young lad, sport played a significant role in his childhood, particularly AFL. His dreams of a career in the Australian Football league took a turn when he eventually explored his love for music and singing. The young singer then began exploring all different styles of music and performance. He played Enjolras in Ignatians production of Les Miserables in 2005, began writing his own songs and was even known to busk with his guitar on the streets of Brisbane. Jeff first joined the Tenors in January 2006. He was very fortunate to be a part of both the worldwide release of the album, Here’s to the Heroes, and also the DVD, A Night with The Ten Tenors. Some of his most memorable experiences with the Tenors so far have been performing at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and being part of the album production at Abbey Rd and Air Studios in London. He was also very lucky to be a part of the two-week run of shows at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Recently, Jeff has had some time off from the rigours of worldwide touring in order to complete some more vocal training and pursue other goals back in Australia. He is very excited to be back on the road with the Tenors in his new role, and looks forward to learning as much as he can and exploring the rest of the world.

GRAHAM FOOTE (G-Train) Graham graduated from the University of Ballarat Arts Academy at the end of 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre. Since graduating, Graham has already had a diverse and impressive introduction to performing. Professional credits include: Jesus/Judas Standby - Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar Korean Tour, Chris in Metro Street (both with Arts Asia Pacific), Lead Vocalist in Orchestra Victoria Rocks Queen (Crown Entertainment), Morales in Carmen, Chorus in Madame Butterfly (both with Melbourne Opera Company) and John in King of the World. Graham was born in the UK and, whilst living there, was the youngest ever person invited to perform at the prestigious National Student Drama Festival. Graham has been Musical Director of The Ten Tenors since March 2009. Prior to this, Graham had a long and varied education in music, with studies including musical theory, composition and arrangement and his true passion, conducting. As a Musical Director, Graham has been the Musical Director for productions of Honk! – The Musical and The Hot Mikado (Adamson Theatre Company), has written two original cabarets and co-written an original musical, and was the founding Musical Director and arranger for Forte, an Australian corporate act. Outside of performing, Graham has an intense love of sport, especially AFL football and his beloved Hawthorn Hawks. He would like to take this opportunity to thank his partner, family and friends for their unconditional support, and also his new touring family who constantly challenge him and give him strength away from home.
LUKE KENNEDY (Ken Lee) Luke began performing at the age of 15 in rock bands and musical theatre in Townsville, Queensland. He appeared in productions of The Sound Of Music, The King And I (Louis), My Fair Lady, Victor Victoria (The Jazz Singer), Fame (Nick Piazza), Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Judah) and Chicago (Mary Sunshine). His first principal role came in 2001 as Jesus in NQOMT’s Jesus Christ Superstar followed by Marius in Les Miserables with NQOMT. Luke then moved to Brisbane to again play Jesus, this time in Harvest Rain Theatre Company’s Jesus Christ Superstar. This was the first of a host of principal roles with Harvest Rain Theatre Company including The Lion in The Wiz, The Beast in Disney’s Beauty And The Beast and Cain/Japheth in Children Of Eden. In 2007 Luke appeared as Jamie in the Queensland premier of The Last Five Years, produced by Oscar Theatre Company. Luke has also appeared in the 2006 and 2007 Brisbane Carols in the City, which was televised nationally on Australia’s 10 Network. This gave him the opportunity to sing with many talented performers including Marina Prior, Guy Sebastian, James Morrison and Silvie Paladino. Luke feels that he is extremely fortunate to be given the opportunity to venture beyond Australian shores and see many of the world’s weird and wonderful places thanks to The Ten Tenors.
DION MOLINAS A graduate of the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Dion is trained in both classical (under the direction of Lorraine Smith) and contemporary voice (under the direction of Beth Allen and Raymond Connell). Dion has also trained in ballet, tap and modern dance. Dion began his musical career playing one of the Von Trapp children in The Sound of Music. Since that auspicious beginning, Dion has performed in a variety of productions, most notably - Little Shop of Horrors, Tim - Lillian, Barnaby Tucker - Hello Dolly, Frank - Showboat, Mute - The Fantasticks, Marius - Les Miserables, Jesus - Godspell, Noel Coward - Tonight at 8.30, Jesus - Jesus Christ Superstar, Balladeer - Assassins. Dion has performed in productions of Dido and Aeneas , Mahler’s 8th Symphony, John Rutter’s Requiem, and sang the tenor solo in Haydn’s Nelson Mass. Dion joined The Ten Tenors in 1997.
BENJAMIN CLARK (B Clark) Ben graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts musical theatre course in 2005, and has since been striving for a career on the stage. A country boy at heart, Ben grew up in the small rural town of Mernda in the outskirts of Melbourne. He began performing in high school appearing on stage first in Anything Goes! He performed in anything and everything he could whilst at school, resulting in Ben becoming captain of drama in his final year. Ben has played leading roles in The Wiz, Baby, My Fair Lady, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, Pirates of Penzance, Guys and Dolls and the Australian premiers of Superfreaks and Boxed In. He has also performed corporately for Mazda, Royal Doulton and the Australian Football League. Ben’s other great loves include all types of sport, poker, funky shoes and has recently developed a fondness/obsession for mixed martial arts. Ben considers himself amazingly fortunate to be a part of the Ten Tenors and even more fortunate that he has been given the opportunity to fulfil his dream of performing to adoring fans worldwide.
STEWART MORRIS (Sancho) A man with a reputation for controversy, Stewart loves making grand entrances. Most famously he welcomed guests to his 21st birthday celebrations with a powerful rendition of “Di Quella Pira” from Verdi’s Il Trovatore, while entering the party on horseback! Stewart’s musical career has been similarly colourful with appearances in productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables, Angelique, Ravel’s Les Enfant et les Sortiliges (in which Stewart made his operatic debut as a FRUIT BAT!), and Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, before finally making his debut with The Ten Tenors in 2001.Stewart loves include relaxing with his family and friends, fishing, hunting, listening to heavy metal and watching horror films. Stewart’s encyclopedic knowledge of B-Grade films is legendary.