1. Introduction

World jurisprudence dates back to ancient times. The law changed and became more complicated under the influence of lots factors. But only one thing has remained unchanged for many centuries – the predominant role of men in the justice.

World jurisprudence, as a field of professional activity, has been formed for a long time in conditions of patriarchal social conditions. This contributed to the continued inaccessibility of this activity for women. They were forbidden not only to work in this industry, but even to receive a law degree.

However, over time, everything changed. Since the late 19th century, law has become accessible to women, thanks to pioneers such as Arabella Mansfield and Anna Mikhailovna Yevreinovna, who, despite prejudices and long-standing stereotypes, proved that the «feminine» gender can significantly impact the global justice system.

We know the names of many male lawyers: Hugo Grotius, Anatoly Fedorovich Koni, Joseph Dahr Jamail, and others. But what female names in the field of law do we know? This article will present the personalities of female lawyers who, in my opinion, have made a unique contribution to the world of law.

2. Material and methods

I would like to start with a «pioneer» who broke the established stereotypes and was able to open the way to the world of law for all women. Her name is Arabella Mansfield.

Arabella (born Bella Aurelia Bubb) was born on May 23, 1846, in Burlington (Iowa), USA. [2, 8, 13]   In 1862, she enrolled at the Wesleyan University of Iowa. After completing her studies, she spent several years studying law in order to pass the exam and obtain a law license. But Iowa law was against her. According to him, «only white men over the age of 21 could practice law.» [2,10] Despite this, Arabella received permission to take the exam. She not only passed the exam for the highest score and gоt lawyer’s license, but also opened the way to the world of law for women. «Your committee takes unusual pleasure in recommending the admission of Mrs. Mansfield, not only because she is the first lady who has applied for this authority in the state, but because in her examination she has given the very best rebuke possible to the imputation that ladies cannot qualify for the practice of law. » — Iowa Bar Examiners Committee (1869) [17]

After such a significant event, Iowa even was forced to amend its laws, which allowed it to become the first US state in history with such legislative initiatives. [13]

Although Arabella Mansfield never practiced law after that event, and instead dedicated her life to teaching at a college, her determination and perseverance have become an inspiration for women around the world to pursue their passions and achieve equal rights in the professional realm.  [2, 8]

It is worth mentioning the first female lawyer in Russia, Anna Mikhailovna Yevreinova (1844-1919). [3, 4, 7] From a young age, she was interested in law. However, due to class and gender differences within her country, she was unable to study law at a university and obtain a legal education. Anna Mikhailovna was repeatedly denied permission to study abroad by her father, but she did not give up and fled to Germany, where she enrolled and studied at the University of Heidelberg. [3, 5, 6]

She returned to Russia as a graduate lawyer and began to engage in scientific activities. Due to the events in the country, her main interests became the customary law of the Slavs and the legal status of women. [3, 4]

In her works, which were published in popular scientific journals of the time, Anna Mikhailovna Yevreinova defended the value of legal customs of peoples in the field of lawmaking, explored issues of land ownership and public property, and, thanks to her article «Letters as an Object of Property,» she was one of the first to raise the issue of the legal status of letters and the privacy of correspondence. [3, 6]

Anna Yevreinova was a staunch feminist and an active participant in the women’s rights movement in Russia. She wrote articles for the magazine «Friend of Women» and delivered lectures at the Moscow and St. Petersburg Law Societies. [3,5]

The story of Anna Mikhailovna Yevreinova is an undeniable triumph over the prohibitions and prejudices against women. Her story truly inspires, showing that law and legal practice do not depend on gender. Thanks to Anna Yevreinovna, the foundation for future generations of female-lawyers in Russia has been laid. [3,4]

Elisabeth Selbert was born on September 22, 1896 in Kassel, Germany. [9, 15]  Since birth, she has faced many difficulties, but she was able to overcome them and write her name in the history of Germany.

Elizabeth’s family was not rich, and getting an education for a girl felt like an unattainable luxury, so she had to give up her dreams of working as a teacher. To help her poor family, the young girl worked as a foreign correspondent for the first time, and then as an employee at the telegraph office. [9,16]

It was only after her marriage and the birth of her two children that Elizabeth realized that she needed to acquire the necessary knowledge, so at the age of 30, she decided to attend the University of Marburg and then the University of Göttingen to study law. It is important to note that she was one of only five women in her chosen field, which had approximately 300 students. [9,15] Despite the challenges, she completed her studies and defended her dissertation on «The Destruction of Marriage as a Ground for Divorce,» which examined the principle of guilt in divorce proceedings that often-left women vulnerable. [9] Her ideas laid the foundation for future legislative changes in Germany in 1977.

In the 1930s, Germany experienced a wave of discrimination against women in the legal profession, but Elizabeth Selbert managed to obtain a law license and establish her own law firm, specializing in family law. [9,15]

After the war, she became a member of the parliamentary council, where she advocated for gender equality. As a result of her efforts, the German government passed a law promoting gender equality. [9,16]

Elisabeth Selbert became a key figure in German law. Thanks to the law, which was actually authored by Elisabeth, thousands of discriminatory laws were repealed, leading Germany towards further democratic development. [15]

“But I got a very good grounding in the principles of Scots law as they then were, which stood me in very good stead for the rest of my career.”– Lady Hazel Cosgrove. [12]

Speaking about outstanding personalities in the history of law, it is impossible not to mention Lady Hazel Cosgrove.

Hazel Josephine Cosgrove was born on January 12, 1946, in Glasgow [11]. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the University of Glasgow, Cosgrove received a bachelor’s degree. Later, she would reveal that even the professor she studied under discouraged her from pursuing a career in law. He believed that it was an unattainable profession for a woman.[12] But she proved the opposite not only to the professor, but also to herself.

Hazel Cosgrove went down in the history of British law for many of her achievements, which were not available to women before. Already in 1968, she was accepted into the College of Advocates of Scotland. After many years of hard work, she became the first female judge of the Scottish Court of Session, which existed for about 450 years. This significant event took place in 1996. [11,12]

However, one of Lady Cosgrove’s most significant contributions was her decision in 2002. As part of a panel of judges, she participated in the review of Scotland’s rape laws. This issue was indeed necessary for revision. In today’s context, it is challenging to imagine that the previous law required physical violence or a direct threat of violence [11,12]. Lady Cosgrove’s persistence led to significant amendments in Scotland’s rape laws, safeguarding women’s rights for years to come. Lady Cosgrove herself explained the need for change as follows: «In today’s world, women have a right to expect protection.» She saw the need to change norms that may not be in line with current realities for various reasons. “In those days of bowler-hatted, black-suited, pinstripe-trousered men, she could walk up the high street in her high heels and look every bit as dignified – and that was a role model for me.” — Isabel Sinclair QC about Lady Cosgrove [12]

In 2003, Hazel Cosgrove was sworn in as a member of the British Privy Council, and in 2004, she received the Order of the British Empire for her outstanding contributions to the field of criminal justice.[11,14] “I hope that now that the groundwork has been done and the barriers have been pushed back, that the younger generation will push on and complete the task of gaining equality.” – Lady Hazel Cosgrove. [7]

3. Results and discussions

During the research:

1) the path of women to the legal process has been studied and analyzed, which for many years has been inaccessible due to patriarchal customs, prejudices and legislative prohibitions;

2) using the example of four prominent lawyers – Arabella Mansfield, Anna Evreinova, Elizabeth Selbert and Lady Hazel Cosgrove, the biographies of each of them and their contribution to the development of law have been considered.

Conclusion

Thus, Hazel Cosgrove opened the doors for women to justice, to professional activities, and to the humanization of criminal law. She made the world fair for those seeking protection. Her determination is an example of how timely and necessary court decisions can transform society for the better.

Arabella Mansfield, Anna Yevreinova, Elizabeth Selbert and Lady Hazel Cosgrove – these four women from different countries and eras, who are united by one thing – they have forever changed the legal world, proving that professional activity does not depend on gender. Each of them has destroyed long-standing stereotypes about the “weak sex” and paved the way for millions of followers around the world. Their legacy, their works – these are not just historical facts or documents, this is a reminder of the possibility to change the world. We must remember the names of these great women, because it is thanks to them that we can live in a just world and be sure that we will not be left without protection.