Burnita Matthews : Burnita Shelton Matthews made history as the first woman appointed to a federal district court in the United States—an achievement that redefined the possibilities for women in the American legal system.
Born in 1894 in Mississippi, Matthews defied the expectations of her era. At a time when women were expected to stay out of public life, she earned her law degree from the National University Law School in Washington, D.C. (now George Washington University), while working as a government typist to support herself.
Her legal journey began with civil rights activism. As legal counsel for the National Woman’s Party, Matthews fought tirelessly for women’s equality. She played a key role in securing legal protections for women’s property rights and was instrumental in advancing the Equal Rights Amendment.
In 1949, President Harry S. Truman appointed Matthews to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She broke not only glass ceilings but legal norms, presiding over major cases with a firm yet fair hand. Her presence on the bench symbolized a turning point in American jurisprudence—a signal that women belonged in the highest halls of justice.
Judge Matthews served for over two decades and remained a senior judge until her death in 1988. Her influence echoes in every courtroom where gender is no longer a barrier to justice. A pioneer, advocate, and trailblazer, Burnita Matthews redefined what was possible for generations of women in law.
