HISTORIC MISSOURIAN
Phoebe Couzins, a Trailblazer for Women’s Rights
Long before women won the vote, Missourian Phoebe Couzins became one of the nation’s first female lawyers and the first female U.S. marshal. Her story is a testament to Missouri women’s leading role in the suffrage movement and to the obstacles facing 19th century trailblazers for women’s rights. Born in 1842 to John E.D. Couzins, an architect and builder, and Adaline Couzins, a relief worker and women’s advocate, Phoebe at age 6 saw her parents leading relief efforts during a devastating St. Louis cholera epidemic. During the Civil War, her father worked with a group that tried to keep Missouri in the Union, while her mother served as a battlefield nurse. Encouraged by a family friend, John Krum, a lawyer, jurist, and mayor of St. Louis, Phoebe applied to the Washington University School of Law in 1869 and earned the votes of all 16 members on the admissions committee. Two years later, she graduated, passed the bar, and became one of the first female lawyers in the nation. In 19th century America, however, a more compelling mission called. Couzins practiced law for just two months before devoting herself to the women’s suffrage movement. In 1876, she delivered a historic speech to the Democratic National Convention in St. Louis, beseeching the party to make women’s
suffrage a part of their platform — to no avail. But in a sign of women’s growing presence in American politics, a large group of women gathered in the balcony to hear her speech.
Couzins soon attained another milestone by becoming the nation’s first female U.S. marshal. She had served for three years as a deputy to her father in that position. When her father died in 1887, President Grover Cleveland named her interim marshal — but replaced her two months later with a man. In keeping with Missourians’ tradition of independence in thought and action, Couzins’ ambitious temperament and outspoken views alienated some younger, more affluent leaders of the suffrage movement. Disenchanted, she worked for a time as a writer and lobbyist. Eventually, Couzins rejoined supporters of women’s right to vote. In poor health, she returned to St. Louis, where she died in 1913 — just seven years before the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was ratified. Couzins was buried wearing her U.S. marshal’s badge. Her grave remained unmarked until 1950, when the Women’s Bar Association of St. Louis placed a headstone there memorializing her accomplishments.
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Education is a key to success, but it can also be expensive. That’s why Finney Injury Law is proud to continue our scholarship program. This year, we’re awarding two (2) $10,000 college scholarships! About the Scholarship The Finney Injury Law Scholarship was established in 2020. It is open to high school seniors, current college students, and law students from historically underrepresented groups looking to pursue their educational dreams and establish a career in a legal profession.
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