Behold American University Washington College of Law a place with a powerful story. It began over 120 years ago. Two pioneering women Ellen Spencer Mussey and Emma Gillett founded it. This was a time when the legal profession excluded women. Mussey and Gillett created opportunities. These opportunities were for those outside the legal mainstream. They believed lawyers had a crucial role. This role involved the development of society business government and individual freedoms. Their foresight formed the foundation for this law school.
In 1895 Delia Sheldon Jackson asked Ellen Spencer Mussey to apprentice her. Jackson wanted to become an attorney. Opportunities for women in law were limited then. Few law schools admitted them. Mussey and Gillett realized they could help. They decided to open the door to the legal profession for women. Mussey had legal training in her husband’s law office. She was denied admission to law schools because of her gender.
Realizing the significance Mussey sought help from Emma Gillett. On February 1 1896 Mussey and Gillett held the first Woman’s Law Class. Jackson Nanette Paul and Helen Malcolm enrolled. This date is recognized as the founding of the Washington College of Law.
Classes were held in Mussey’s law offices initially. Mussey taught Constitutional Law Contracts and Personal Property. Gillett taught Blackstone Bill and Notes and Domestic Relations. The program expanded quickly. More women wanted to pursue law-related careers. Mussey and Gillett obtained teaching assistance from prominent Washington attorneys. This helped meet the program’s growing needs. They maintained their full-time practices as well.
By 1898 six women were ready for their senior year. Mussey and Gillet asked Columbian College to accept the six women. Columbian refused saying women did not have the mentality for law. The two women decided to complete the students’ education themselves. They founded a co-educational law school.
The Washington College of Law became the first law school founded by women. It was the first to have a woman dean. It was the first to graduate an all-female law school class. The college aimed to provide legal education for women. This education enabled them to practice law. Male enrollment began as early as 1897.
In 2016 American University moved the Washington College of Law. The move was to a newly constructed building. It incorporated Immaculata’s Capital Hall and the school chapel.
Washington College of Law merged with American University in 1949. It graduated its first African American student in 1953. Howard Law School was co-educational and integrated from its start. Washington College of Law admitted only white students until the 1950s.
Today the Washington College of Law is located on American University’s Tenley Campus. This location is at 4300 Nebraska Avenue NW. The campus includes three primary buildings. Capital Hall is historically preserved and renovated. It includes administrative offices student publications courtrooms classrooms and an atrium. The Warren Building houses the Pence Law Library classrooms and a ceremonial courtroom. The Yuma Building houses classrooms faculty offices clinical and international programs dining and Claudio Grossman Hall.
The Pence Law Library has over 600000 volumes. It offers access to databases and study rooms. The library is open 24/7. The American University Washington College of Law continues to champion what matters. It upholds its founders’ mission. It provides opportunities for all backgrounds.