Description
Jessie Bigwood graduated from high school at the age of 16 and then attended Burlington Business School where she studied stenography and bookkeeping. After this, she worked briefly as a government reporter at Fort Ethan Allen. In 1898, Jessie married Frederick Bigwood and then worked in the office of Burlington Attorney, V.A. Bullard. In 1900, she took a special law course at Boston University. In October of 1902, after completing her oral examination, she became the first female lawyer in Vermont. Until that time, no other woman had been admitted as a member of the Vermont Bar.
Women of Vermont
In 1902, Jessie Lafountain Bigwood became the first woman lawyer in Vermont. It was 10 years before another woman was admitted to the Vermont Bar and eighteen years before the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. In 1954, Consuelo Northrop Bailey became the first woman in the U.S. to be elected lieutenant governor. In 1985, Madeleine Kunin became the first woman governor of Vermont. In 1997, Martha Rainville was appointed Vermont adjutant general becoming the first woman in the U.S. to lead a state National Guard.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
