Emma Millinda Gillett

30 July 1852–23 January 1927

Born 30 July 1852 in Princeton, Brown Co., Wisconsin.[1] Daughter of Richard Joseph Gillett and Sarah Ann Barlow.[2] Appointed as a notary, 14 June 1881.[3] Graduated from Howard University Law School, number one in her class, 29 May 1882.[4] Graduated from Howard University Law School with a masters of law, 28 May 1883.[5] Cofounder and treasurer of the Washington, DC, Wimodaughsis Club, an all-women’s club dedicated to promoting education for young women, 1890.[6] Corresponded with EBW concerning Wimodaughsis, 8 July 1891.[7] Cofounded the Woman’s Law Class with Ellen Spencer Mussey, Nov. 1896, which became the Washington College of Law, 1898; served as dean, 1913–1923.[8] Recording secretary of the District of Columbia Equal Suffrage Association, 1898–1906.[9] Member of the finance committee of the National Woman’s Suffrage Association, 1906–1904; member of the congressional committee, 1906; chair, 1911.[10] Died 23 Jan. 1927 in Washington, DC.[11]

 

[1] United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, “Passport Applications, 1795–1925; Indexes, 1830–1831, 1850–1852, 1860–1923, vol. 740, 25–31 May 1892 (NARA Series M1372, Roll 392), p. 39627, Emma M. Gillett, microfilm 1497914, DGS 7547687, image 183/606, FHL. “Former Deans,” Washington College of Law (https://www.wcl.american.edu/impact/history/former-deans/, accessed 14 Nov. 2021). “Family Tree,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org, accessed 30 Mar. 2021), Emma Millinda Gillett (MGKB-DG4).

[2] District of Columbia, Health Department, Interments, 1855–1874, Death Certificates, 1874–1831, p. 303882/129a, Emma M. Gillett, microfilm 2116027, DGS 4025303, image 1916/3217, FHL.

[3] “Capital Jottings,” National Republican (Washington, DC), 15 June 1881, 1.

[4] “Howard University Law School,” Evening Star (Washington, DC), 30 May 1882, 5.

[5] “Laconic Locals,” Evening Critic (Washington, DC), 25 May 1883, 3.

[6] Willis B. Hawkins, “Wi-Mo-Daugh-Sis,” Roanoke (VA) Daily Times, 19 Aug. 1890, 3. “A Woman’s Club House,” Evening Star (Washington, DC), 12 Nov. 1890, 6. 

[7] EBW, Memoranda, 8 July 1891.

[8] “Law School Started for Women Students,” Evening Times (Washington, DC), 30 Nov. 1896, 5. “Our History,” Washington College of Law (https://www.wcl.american.edu/impact/history/, accessed 14 Nov. 2021). “Former Deans,” Washington College of Law (https://www.wcl.american.edu/impact/history/former-deans/, accessed 14 Nov. 2021).

[9] Edward T. James, Janet Wilson James, and Paul S. Boyer, eds., Notable American Women, 1607–1950, vol. 2, G–O (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1974), 37.

[10] Edward T. James, Janet Wilson James, and Paul S. Boyer, eds., Notable American Women, 1607–1950, vol. 2, G–O (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1974), 37.

[11] District of Columbia, Health Department, Interments, 1855–1874, Death Certificates, 1874–1831, p. 303882/129a, Emma M. Gillett, microfilm 2116027, DGS 4025303, image 1916/3217, FHL.