Daisy D. Perkins Explained

Daisy D. Perkins was Ohio’s first African American female lawyer.^{[1] [2]}

Perkins’ father was John Perkins, a runaway slave who opened a barber shop after settling in North Baltimore, Ohio. She lost her mother at fourteen months of age.^[3] Perkins went on to attend Findlay College with the financial support of her sisters.^[4]

She relocated to Columbus, Ohio and became an autodidact in law. Her legal tutelage was provided by M.B. Earnhart, a Caucasian judge. In 1919, after having taken the bar examination seven times, she became the first African American female admitted to practice law in Ohio.^[5] Later, she became a lawyer for the Office of the Columbus Prosecutor.^[6]

See also

• List of first women lawyers and judges in Ohio

References

1. Book: Smith, John Clay. Emancipation: The Making of the Black Lawyer, 1844-1944. 1999. University of Pennsylvania Press. 9780812216851. en.
2. Book: The History of Ohio Law. Benedict. Michael Les. Winkler. John F.. 2004. Ohio University Press. 9780821415467. en.
3. Web site: Woman Attorney a Candidate in Columbus. May 30, 1924. Baltimore Afro American Newspaper. en. 2019-08-29.
4. Web site: Memorial Fund Established to Repair Historical Graves – TheNBXpress.com. en-US. 2019-08-29.
5. Web site: TWO FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE RECENT STATE BAR EXAMINATION. June 26, 1919. Steubenville Herald Newspaper. en. 2019-08-29.
6. Book: The American Midwest: An Interpretive Encyclopedia. Cayton. Andrew R. L.. Sisson. Richard. Zacher. Chris. 2006-11-08. Indiana University Press. 9780253003492. en.

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