Arabella Mansfield

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Belle Aurelia Mansfield (Babb)

Also Known As: "Arabella", "Mansfield"
Birthdate:
Birthplace: Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, United States
Death: August 01, 1911 (65)
Aurora, Kane County, Illinois, United States
Immediate Family:

Daughter of Miles Babb and Mary Babb
Wife of John Melvin Mansfield

Managed by: Private User
Last Updated:
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Immediate Family

About Arabella Mansfield

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabella_Mansfield

Arabella Mansfield (May 23, 1846 – August 1, 1911), born Belle Aurelia Babb, became the first female lawyer in the United States in 1869, admitted to the Iowa bar; she made her career as a college educator and administrator. Despite an Iowa state law restricting the bar exam to males, Mansfield had taken it and earned high scores. Shortly after her court challenge, Iowa amended its licensing statute and became the first state to accept women and minorities into its bar.

During her career, Mansfield worked primarily as an educator and activist, teaching at Iowa Wesleyan College and DePauw University. At the latter, she also became a university administrator, serving successively as dean in the 1890's of two different schools.

Mansfield was active in the women's suffrage movement, chairing the Iowa Women’s Suffrage Convention in 1870, and working with Susan B. Anthony.

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Arabella Mansfield's Timeline

1846
May 23, 1846
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, United States
1911
August 1, 1911
Age 65
Aurora, Kane County, Illinois, United States