Marion Scudder Griffin (1879 – January 30, 1957) was an American lawyer, and the first woman to practice law in Tennessee. She was born in 1879 in Greensboro, Georgia. Griffin first worked as a stenographer in her hometown. Upon relocating to Memphis, Tennessee, Griffin began studying law while working as a stenographer for Judge Thomas M. Scruggs’ office. Renowned African American female lawyer

Lutie Lytle Lutie A. Lytle (November 19, 1875 - November 12, 1955 ) was an American lawyer who was one of the first African-American women in the legal profession. Having been admitted to the state bar of Tennessee in 1897, she also practiced law in Topeka ...

was the first female admitted to the Tennessee State Bar in 1897. Instead of actively practicing law, however, Lytle taught at Tennessee College's law department and served as a librarian before relocating to New York whereupon she developed a legal practice. In 1900, although Griffin was certified by Chancellor Dehaven and Circuit Court Judge Estes for admission to the Tennessee State Bar, she was denied entrance by

Supreme Court of Tennessee The Tennessee Supreme Court is the ultimate judicial tribunal of the state of Tennessee. Roger A. Page is the Chief Justice. Unlike other states, in which the state attorney general is directly elected or appointed by the governor or state ...

on account of her sex. Hence, Griffin decided to pursue a higher education, and completed her law degree by 1906 at the University of Michigan’s law school. The following year, Griffin was able to convince the Tennessee State Assembly to allow women to practice law. In July 1907, she became the first female lawyer in the state to actively practice law upon being licensed by the Tennessee Supreme Court and her local bar association. She set up a legal practice soon after at the Goodwyn Institute Building, and stayed active until her retirement in 1949. In 1923, she achieved another historical accomplishment by becoming the first female to hold a seat in the

Tennessee House of Representatives The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower house of the Tennessee General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee. Constitutional requirements According to the state constitution of 1870, this body is to consis ...

. Griffin died on January 30, 1957. Shelby County erected a historical marker in her honor.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffin, Marion 20th-century American lawyers People from Greensboro, Georgia Lawyers from Memphis, Tennessee University of Michigan Law School alumni Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives 20th-century American legislators 20th-century American women politicians 1879 births 1957 deaths 20th-century American women lawyers Politicians from Memphis, Tennessee Women state legislators in Tennessee 20th-century Tennessee politicians

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