The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-14
CERTIFIED O NJ OF LAW
FoRTT-sETEN IN THE UNIVERSITY
WOMEN'S Law CLASS OF 1927.

An Address by Mrs. John p. Mum, President
OF the Wonan's Legal Education Society
Rssnyists and Pri1o winners OF tho Glass
Cap and Gown the Fashion for the Evening.
Forty-seyen young women, headed by Miss
Isabelle Torrons Alexander, NJ. A., received cor
tihcatcs last night setting forth the fact that
they had faithfully attended tho woman's law
class of the New York University and that they
were possessed OF sufficient legal knowledge for
the conduct of any ordinary business. This was
ut the closing exercises of tho seventh year Of
tho woman's class, which was founded by the
Woman's Legal Education Society. Mrs. John
p. Mum Is the President OF tho soci-
city, ana Miss Helen NJ. Gould the Vice.
President. Tho exercises were held in tho
Concert Hall at Madison Square Garden. Tho
stage was n great bed of palms. Chancellor
Henry NJ. MacCracken of tho university had tho
seat Of honor at the right Of Mrs. Mum and
next to him sat Miss Gould. Tho Board of
Directors Of tho society, all women. in scholastic
cap and gown, also had seats on the platform.
The graduating class, capped and gowned too.
occupied the front seats in the crowded hall.
Mrs. Mum made the first address. 1t was a
report on tho work of tho class and Of Prof.
Isaac Franklin Russell, tho lecturer. Mrs.
Mum said that tho course OF study was in
tended to furnish the means of supplying to
women that knowledge of business law which
men acquire In their daily contact with each
other In their various pursuits: The rank taken
by women graduates showed that women have
tho necessary qualities OF mind TO comprehend
the principles Of law. She said:
few women to mako tho study of law their life
work, 1t Is possible for all women to obtain a
able them to perform their duties as l~itigants,
witnesses, custodians OF trust estates, and guar.
dams of their children with efficiency and
fidelity; In view of the rights which modern
legislation has conferred upon women, they
should acquire the necessary legal knowledge to
ut them to accept these responsibilities.
The glee club Of the university sang, and then
Miss Martha Elyira Pettps Of the class read an
oS The on ser ri3mG a& IaPs Gist hflb1iiy;d by chancel.
lor MacCracken, aftor which tho prizes were
awarded. The first, the university prize scholar
ship, valued at 5000, was awarded to Miss Alex
Ivan, Mrs. Carolyn Louise Lindholm Fitz Gerald.
and Miss Alma Mathilde Stein received honor
The frst essay prize Of .$25 was awarded to
MIS- MIS- 3 Senais } hoaiss h nna d saG f fita Ge qs DO to
Thomas Hunter, President Of the New York
Normal i College, addressed the class: In the %
sex in the value of labor. and that u woman
whose labor was equal to that of a man was en-
closed with a short address by Prof. Russell. the
lecturer. He said, among other things:
This scholastic system has been found to at.
and varieties of character which a cosmopolitan
town presents. Every year we find among our
that point OF enthusiasm where they are
prompted to drop all other favorite studies for
the law, which has proved of such irresistible
fascination. AS justice and equity know no dis
tinction OF sex. so the commonwealth of in
tellect cannot deny to woman the freedom OF
the city"
Miss Sophia jackson Briggs. the daughter of
Prof. Charles A. Briggs. was ono of the gradu-
atinR class.
or the graduates of the woman's class In the
seven years 1t has been organized, thirty-four
have continued their law studies in the Univer.
sity Law School. Mrs. Elliot +. Shepard has
given to the law library Of the university a val
liable collection of 800 works upon law, which
is to be known hereafter as the Elliot F. Shep-
ard Law Library.