Law prof & scholar at The Center for Constitutional Law at The University of Akron. Author of "The First Woman Judge" out Fall 2026.(Personal page.)
Joined November 2013
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Cover reveal! Judge Allen was the first woman judge many times over. The first woman federal appellate judge in 1934. The first woman shortlisted for SCOTUS. The first elected to a common pleas court. And the first elected to any state supreme court in 1922. Fall 26 at UC Press.
Enjoyed talking with the Modern Law Library Podcast about my new book.
What do we know about the first woman judge? legaltalknetwork.com/podcast…
Tracy Thomas retweeted
My second monograph is out next month! It explores legacies of women’s suffrage for education + youth activism for women’s rights in the 1920s and 1930s. barnesandnoble.com/w/daughte…
#twitterstorians #history #suffrage @RadInstitute @TulaneHistory @bancroftlibrary @BarnardArchives
I appreciate the shout out! Legal historians will find in the book the arc of women’s transformation of the courts, history of the 19A & state partial suffrage, state progressive constl amendment, New Deal economic & social justice & SCOTUS appt machinations of FDR & Truman.
An important step in recovering all of the history of the court. For more on the first woman Supreme Court judge—in Ohio and the nation—see my new book “The First Woman Judge: The Life & Legacy of Florence Allen” out 9/29 @ucpress
The Supreme Court of Ohio celebrates the first anniversary of its Women in Law exhibit, a lasting tribute to the extraordinary women who have shaped Ohio's legal history and inspired future generations of lawyers.
Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/4x1WU1a
The first woman judge, Florence Allen, began her public service as a grassroots activist for women’s suffrage. You might recognize this iconic photo, but did you know Allen was the one standing in front holding the flag. Click the link to hear more.
instagram.com/reel/DcLtegGR_…
The first woman Justice came really close to appointment in 1938 when FDR shortlisted Florence Allen. He picked Stanley Reed at the last minute due to a conflict over the TVA case of executive power pending before Allen. All discussed in my new book “The First Woman Judge.”
On this day in 1981, Ronald Reagan announced his intent to nominate Sandra Day O’Connor to be the first woman on the United States Supreme Court. To date, only 6 women have served on the Court, compared to 110 men. #WeTheMen
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A good time to re-up our call for papers on the SCOTUS big cases summer symposium. Expedited publishing in 4-6wks & faculty edited.
All from the efforts of Florence Allen, who drafted the new legislation, advocated in endless city hearings & then defended in constitutional litigation at the OHSCt. She became the first woman judge in 1920 & the first fed cir judge in 1934, as I detail in my new book.
OTD in 1916, East Cleveland became the 1st city east of the Miss River to empower women to vote in municipal elections. After the measure passed (936-508), suffragists gathered to celebrate. “There were shouts & songs & much laughing & exchanging of congratulations.” #WeTheMen
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Plaintiffs' argument that Title IX protects professors & coaches at educational institutions agst sex discrimination was made by advocates in 1970s women's rights litigation by the Women's Law Fund--the subject of my new book project. Statute says "no person," not student.
Court agrees to hear case on ability of employees to bring certain suits for sex discrimination, turns down child pornography reporting suit against X
scotusblog.com/2026/05/court…
CFP The Center for Constitutional Law at Akron for our faculty edited journal ConLawNOW. Written symposium "SCOTUS Blockbuster Cases 2026." Share your insights & key takeaways on the big cases of the term in this annual summer symposium. Essays 5k words. Deadline 8/28
Tracy Thomas retweeted
You can preorder my second book as of today! cambridge.org/us/universityp…
#twitterstorians #history #suffrage #NineteenthAmendment #womenshistory
The Court used originalism of history and tradition to hold that “person” under the common law of coverture meant only “men.”
OTD in 1894, the Sup Ct heard In re Lockwood. Belva Lockwood, a pioneering attorney & 1884 presidential candidate, challenged VA’s refusal to admit her to the state bar. She lost, even though VA’s law explicitly authorized admission to “any person” admitted elsewhere. #WeTheMen
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I offer some thoughts here on possible constitutional challenges to the SAVE Act. newsfromthestates.com/articl…
SCOTUS voting 98% (!) of the time for expansion of religious rights. Only 7% for voting rights.
The sharply conservative Supreme Court featuring three appointees from President Trump is the first since at least the 1950s to reject civil rights claims in a majority of cases involving women and minorities, an analysis shows. wapo.st/4vjAfxn
Tracy Thomas retweeted
🤩 As Chair of the AALS Section on Constitutional Law, I am pleased to invite nominations for the Inaugural Annual Prize in Scholarly Excellence.
📝 Details below. Please consider nominating someone, or nominating yourself!
Well this is exciting. My book The First Woman Judge is an Amazon Hot New Release, #1 New Release in Gender & Law.
Today is the birthdate of the First Woman Judge, Florence Allen, born in 1884. Perfect timing for my new book on Allen, now available for pre-order. Allen was the first woman judge many times over--common pleas, OH SCt, Sixth Cir & SCOTUS shortlist. amazon.com/dp/0520399609?tag…
Tracy Thomas retweeted
Decades after its first deadline, the Equal Rights Amendment is back in the courtroom as plaintiffs demand a federal judge finally recognize it as part of the U.S. Constitution.
Read #ConstitutionDaily to learn more: ow.ly/6VPG50Ys4hB
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