Women | Page 27 | MNopedia

Martha Angle Dorsett

Martha Angle Dorset at the time of her graduation from the University of Michigan, ca. 1875. Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Martha Angle Dorsett is best known for being Minnesota's first female lawyer. After being denied the right to practice law in Minnesota in 1876, she successfully petitioned the Minnesota legislature to change the state law governing attorney admissions. With the law amended to permit admission regardless of sex, Martha went on to practice law and remained active politically throughout the rest of her life in Minneapolis.