fbpx
Wikipedia

Marguerite Kamehaokalani Ashford

May 08, 2024

Marguerite Kamehaokalani Ashford (December 9, 1891 – March 3, 1970) became the first woman attorney to practice in the Territory of Hawaii. At the time of her 1916 admission to the Hawaii bar, she was the only woman attorney in Hawaii. Almeda Eliza Hitchcock had previously practiced law in the islands while Hawaii was still a kingdom, but had ceased her practice before the 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The third woman attorney in Hawaii was Carrick Hume Buck who was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1924, making Ashford and Buck the only two practicing women attorneys in the territory as of that date.

Marguerite Kamehaokalani Ashford c.1930

Family background edit

She was born December 9, 1891, the youngest child of Jean Eleanor Robertson Ashford (1858–1926) and Clarence Wilder Ashford (1857–1921). Her mother was the first woman regent of the University of Hawaii and credited as securing funding for the original Cooke Field at the University of Hawaii.[1]

Her father was an immigrant from Canada, who had replaced Antone Rosa as Kalākaua's Attorney General after the signing of the 1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii. For his alliance with Liliʻuokalani during the overthrow, he spent seven years in exile in San Francisco, returning to Hawaii after its annexation by the United States.[2] President Woodrow Wilson appointed him First Judge of First Circuit Court, District of Hawaii in 1914, a position he held until his retirement.[3] Her brothers Stanley Haze Healani Ashford (1888–1968) and Huron Kanoelani Ashford (1890–1928) also entered the legal profession.[citation needed]

Education and career edit

After graduating from Punahou School in Honolulu, Ashford matriculated at the University of California, where she earned her LL,B in 1914. She then spent several weeks in Hawaii accompanying her father in his judicial duties,[4] before enrolling at the University of Michigan, receiving her JD degree in 1915.[5] Territorial Chief Justice Alexander George Morison Robertson administered the oath to her on January 27, 1916, and authorized her to practice in all courts in the territory.[6] At the time of her admission to the bar, she was the only woman attorney in Hawaii, and the first in the territory to practice. Almeda Eliza Hitchcock (1863–1895) had previously practiced law in the islands while Hawaii was still a kingdom, but had ceased her practice before the 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii.[7]

In February 1916, while still living in her parents' house and being financially supported by them, Ashford acted as the defense in a case in which her father presided over as the judge, raising conflict of interest concerns.[8] By the following month, she had joined the law firm of Castle & Withington.[9]

The third woman attorney in Hawaii, Carrick Hume Buck (1900–1959), was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1924. At that time, Ashford and Buck were the only practicing women attorneys in the territory.[10] Ashford was appointed First Deputy Attorney General in the territory in 1925, holding the position until 1927. For nearly two decades, she served as legal council for the territorial legislature. In 1934, she was appointed Deputy Attorney General for the whole legislature, holding that position until 1953.[11] She was appointed attorney for the Territorial House of Representatives in 1935, for the purpose of drafting legislation.[12] When she worked as counsel for the Territorial Senate, the newspaper stated that during the period she served in that position, she earned a higher salary than any other public servant.[13][14]

Public lands edit

The Republic of Hawaii was annexed by the United States on July 4, 1898. On June 14, 1900, the Hawaiian Organic Act officially created the territory and provided the constitutional framework under which it was governed. With the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921, the federal government set aside approximately 200,000 acres (810 km2) in the territory as a land trust for homesteading by Native Hawaiians. Ashford held the opinion that the act discriminated against non-native Hawaiians, and, therefore, violated the United States Constitution. When Ashford was chosen as a delegate from Molokai to the 1950 Hawaiʻi State Constitutional Convention, she opposed inclusion of the 1921 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act into Hawaii's new constitution. When the convention failed to eliminate the act from the proposed constitution, she refused to sign it.[15] Governor Samuel Wilder King appointed Ashford to his cabinet as Commissioner of Public Lands in 1953, stirring up public controversy. King never wavered in his support of her, but she eventually resigned from the position.[16][15]

Retirement edit

She retired from active law practice, and moved to Molokai in 1946, where she built a home in the Kainalu area. A tidal wave generated by the 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake damaged much of the island, and dislodged her new house off its foundation, moving it and her car across the road.[17] In August of that year, she was un-retired by Chief Justice Samuel B. Kemp, who appointed her to fill a District Magistrate vacancy on the island.[18]

Ashford maintained close ties with King, but was able to fully retire as his final term ran out. She moved to the Halekou area of Kaneohe to be near her remaining family, and died March 3, 1970.[19]

Notes edit

  1. ^ *"Jennie Ashford obit". Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com. April 24, 1926. Retrieved September 4, 2018. ; "Mrs. Ashford is Called by Death". Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com. April 24, 1926. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  2. ^ "C. W. Ashford Talks". The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com. March 25, 1895. Retrieved September 4, 2018. ; "Clarence W. Ashford Comes Back After Long Absence". The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com. April 5, 1902. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  3. ^ "Clarence W. Ashford obit July 1921". Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com. July 3, 1921. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  4. ^ "Jurist's Daughter, Who Aspires to Bar, Closely Watches Pater". Honolulu Star-bulletin at Newspapers.com. September 8, 1914. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  5. ^ "Marguerite Ashford, Daughter of Judge, Given Law Degree – Newspapers.com". Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com. November 2, 1915. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  6. ^ "Marguerite K. Ashford Now Licensed Lawyer Only Woman Attorney in Territory". Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com. January 28, 1916. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  7. ^ Matsuda 1992, p. 10.
  8. ^ "Allowance From Father Figures In Ashford Case – Newspapers.com". Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com. February 26, 1916. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  9. ^ "Ashford Joins Castle & Withington law firm". Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com. March 30, 1916. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  10. ^ "Honolulu's Rising Women Attorneys". Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com. April 25, 1925. p. 11. Retrieved September 4, 2018.  "Honolulu's Rising Women Attorneys cont". Newspapers.com. April 25, 1925. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  11. ^ "Hawaii's First Female Lawyer Is Dead at 78". Honolulu Star-Bulletin  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required) . March 4, 1970. p. 42. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  12. ^ "Miss Ashford is House Attorney". Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com. February 25, 1935. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  13. ^ Lambeth, Harry J. (May 26, 1947). "Legislative Roundup". Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  14. ^ Judd & Hilleary 1954, p. 35.
  15. ^ a b Matsuda 1992, pp. 46–47.
  16. ^ Peterson 1984, p. 9.
  17. ^ Matsuda 1992, pp. 45–46.
  18. ^ "Miss Ashford Named District Court Magistrate". Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com. August 7, 1946. Retrieved September 4, 2018. 
  19. ^ Matsuda 1992, pp. 48–49.

References edit

  • Matsuda, Mari J (1992). Called from Within: Early Women Lawyers of Hawaiʻi. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-1430-4. OCLC 25748674.
  • Peterson, Barbara Bennett, ed. (1984). Notable women of Hawaii. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0820-4.
  • Judd, Henry P.; Hilleary, Perry Edward (1954). Men and women of Hawaii, 1954; a biographical encyclopedia of persons of notable achievement, an historical account of the peoples who have distinguished themselves through personal success and through public service. Honolulu, HI: Honolulu Business Consultants – via HathiTrust.

External links edit

  • Marguerite Kamehaokalani Ashford at Find a Grave (1891–1970)

May 08, 2024
marguerite, kamehaokalani, ashford, december, 1891, march, 1970, became, first, woman, attorney, practice, territory, hawaii, time, 1916, admission, hawaii, only, woman, attorney, hawaii, almeda, eliza, hitchcock, previously, practiced, islands, while, hawaii,. Marguerite Kamehaokalani Ashford December 9 1891 March 3 1970 became the first woman attorney to practice in the Territory of Hawaii At the time of her 1916 admission to the Hawaii bar she was the only woman attorney in Hawaii Almeda Eliza Hitchcock had previously practiced law in the islands while Hawaii was still a kingdom but had ceased her practice before the 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii The third woman attorney in Hawaii was Carrick Hume Buck who was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1924 making Ashford and Buck the only two practicing women attorneys in the territory as of that date Marguerite Kamehaokalani Ashford c 1930 Contents 1 Family background 2 Education and career 3 Public lands 4 Retirement 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksFamily background editShe was born December 9 1891 the youngest child of Jean Eleanor Robertson Ashford 1858 1926 and Clarence Wilder Ashford 1857 1921 Her mother was the first woman regent of the University of Hawaii and credited as securing funding for the original Cooke Field at the University of Hawaii 1 Her father was an immigrant from Canada who had replaced Antone Rosa as Kalakaua s Attorney General after the signing of the 1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii For his alliance with Liliʻuokalani during the overthrow he spent seven years in exile in San Francisco returning to Hawaii after its annexation by the United States 2 President Woodrow Wilson appointed him First Judge of First Circuit Court District of Hawaii in 1914 a position he held until his retirement 3 Her brothers Stanley Haze Healani Ashford 1888 1968 and Huron Kanoelani Ashford 1890 1928 also entered the legal profession citation needed Education and career editAfter graduating from Punahou School in Honolulu Ashford matriculated at the University of California where she earned her LL B in 1914 She then spent several weeks in Hawaii accompanying her father in his judicial duties 4 before enrolling at the University of Michigan receiving her JD degree in 1915 5 Territorial Chief Justice Alexander George Morison Robertson administered the oath to her on January 27 1916 and authorized her to practice in all courts in the territory 6 At the time of her admission to the bar she was the only woman attorney in Hawaii and the first in the territory to practice Almeda Eliza Hitchcock 1863 1895 had previously practiced law in the islands while Hawaii was still a kingdom but had ceased her practice before the 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii 7 In February 1916 while still living in her parents house and being financially supported by them Ashford acted as the defense in a case in which her father presided over as the judge raising conflict of interest concerns 8 By the following month she had joined the law firm of Castle amp Withington 9 The third woman attorney in Hawaii Carrick Hume Buck 1900 1959 was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1924 At that time Ashford and Buck were the only practicing women attorneys in the territory 10 Ashford was appointed First Deputy Attorney General in the territory in 1925 holding the position until 1927 For nearly two decades she served as legal council for the territorial legislature In 1934 she was appointed Deputy Attorney General for the whole legislature holding that position until 1953 11 She was appointed attorney for the Territorial House of Representatives in 1935 for the purpose of drafting legislation 12 When she worked as counsel for the Territorial Senate the newspaper stated that during the period she served in that position she earned a higher salary than any other public servant 13 14 Public lands editThe Republic of Hawaii was annexed by the United States on July 4 1898 On June 14 1900 the Hawaiian Organic Act officially created the territory and provided the constitutional framework under which it was governed With the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921 the federal government set aside approximately 200 000 acres 810 km2 in the territory as a land trust for homesteading by Native Hawaiians Ashford held the opinion that the act discriminated against non native Hawaiians and therefore violated the United States Constitution When Ashford was chosen as a delegate from Molokai to the 1950 Hawaiʻi State Constitutional Convention she opposed inclusion of the 1921 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act into Hawaii s new constitution When the convention failed to eliminate the act from the proposed constitution she refused to sign it 15 Governor Samuel Wilder King appointed Ashford to his cabinet as Commissioner of Public Lands in 1953 stirring up public controversy King never wavered in his support of her but she eventually resigned from the position 16 15 Retirement editShe retired from active law practice and moved to Molokai in 1946 where she built a home in the Kainalu area A tidal wave generated by the 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake damaged much of the island and dislodged her new house off its foundation moving it and her car across the road 17 In August of that year she was un retired by Chief Justice Samuel B Kemp who appointed her to fill a District Magistrate vacancy on the island 18 Ashford maintained close ties with King but was able to fully retire as his final term ran out She moved to the Halekou area of Kaneohe to be near her remaining family and died March 3 1970 19 Notes edit Jennie Ashford obit Honolulu Star Bulletin at Newspapers com April 24 1926 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Mrs Ashford is Called by Death Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers com April 24 1926 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp C W Ashford Talks The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers com March 25 1895 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Clarence W Ashford Comes Back After Long Absence The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers com April 5 1902 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Clarence W Ashford obit July 1921 Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers com July 3 1921 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Jurist s Daughter Who Aspires to Bar Closely Watches Pater Honolulu Star bulletin at Newspapers com September 8 1914 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Marguerite Ashford Daughter of Judge Given Law Degree Newspapers com Honolulu Star Bulletin at Newspapers com November 2 1915 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Marguerite K Ashford Now Licensed Lawyer Only Woman Attorney in Territory Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers com January 28 1916 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Matsuda 1992 p 10 Allowance From Father Figures In Ashford Case Newspapers com Honolulu Star Bulletin at Newspapers com February 26 1916 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Ashford Joins Castle amp Withington law firm Honolulu Star Bulletin at Newspapers com March 30 1916 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Honolulu s Rising Women Attorneys Honolulu Star Bulletin at Newspapers com April 25 1925 p 11 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Honolulu s Rising Women Attorneys cont Newspapers com April 25 1925 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Hawaii s First Female Lawyer Is Dead at 78 Honolulu Star Bulletin via Newspapers com subscription required March 4 1970 p 42 Retrieved September 4 2018 Miss Ashford is House Attorney Honolulu Star Bulletin at Newspapers com February 25 1935 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Lambeth Harry J May 26 1947 Legislative Roundup Honolulu Star Bulletin at Newspapers com Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Judd amp Hilleary 1954 p 35 a b Matsuda 1992 pp 46 47 Peterson 1984 p 9 Matsuda 1992 pp 45 46 Miss Ashford Named District Court Magistrate Honolulu Star Bulletin at Newspapers com August 7 1946 Retrieved September 4 2018 nbsp Matsuda 1992 pp 48 49 References editMatsuda Mari J 1992 Called from Within Early Women Lawyers of Hawaiʻi University of Hawaii Press ISBN 0 8248 1430 4 OCLC 25748674 Peterson Barbara Bennett ed 1984 Notable women of Hawaii Honolulu University of Hawaii Press ISBN 978 0 8248 0820 4 Judd Henry P Hilleary Perry Edward 1954 Men and women of Hawaii 1954 a biographical encyclopedia of persons of notable achievement an historical account of the peoples who have distinguished themselves through personal success and through public service Honolulu HI Honolulu Business Consultants via HathiTrust External links editMarguerite Kamehaokalani Ashford at Find a Grave 1891 1970 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marguerite Kamehaokalani Ashford amp oldid 1208353655, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.