Lodi in San Joaquin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Laura de Force Gordon

1838 - 1907

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 15, 2015

1. Laura de Force Gordon Marker

Inscription. A famous womens' rights activist, she began speaking on behalf of womens' rights in 1868. Laura ran for the California State Senate in 1871, long before women could vote. In 1873 she bought the first of several newspapers which she used as a forum to advance womens' rights. In 1878 Laura and Clara S. Foltz were the first women admitted to Hastings Law School and then to the bar in California. In 1901, after years of activism, Laura retired to her farm in Lodi.

Dedicated October 11, 1997
Tuleburgh Chapter #69
E Clampus Vitus

Erected 1997 by E Clampus Vitus Tuleburgh Chapter #69.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 20, 1988.

Location. 38° 8.071′ N, 121° 16.644′ W. Marker is in Lodi, California, in San Joaquin County. Marker is at the intersection of West Pine Street and North Lee Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Pine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 325 West Pine Street, Lodi CA 95240, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Woman's Club of Lodi (a few steps from this marker); The Valley Review (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hotel Lodi

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Lodi Opera House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First A&W Root Beer (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Lodi (Mokelumne Station) (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lodi Arch (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lodi Mission Arch (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lodi.

Also see . . .
1. HomeFeaturesVintage Lodi Vintage Lodi Laura DeForce Gordon was Lodi’s early suffragette. The Lodi News-Sentinel's article (10/1/2011) on Laura de Force Gordon. On her becoming a lawyer: "In 1878, she and Clara S. Foltz began a fight for legislation allowing women to practice law in California. A bill was passed allowing women to practice law in the state.... Gordon and Foltz immediately applied to Hastings College of Law, which allowed them to attend a few lectures, and then denied them entry. The women sued the school and won the judgment, which said anyone at least 14 years old and of good moral character could attend. On Dec. 6, 1879, Gordon and Foltz became the first two women admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of California." (Submitted on December 23, 2015.)

2. Laura de Force Gordon - Wikipedia. "Laura de Force
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 15, 2015

2. Laura de Force Gordon Marker
The marker is just barely visible here, mounted on brick on the right side of the building, just above the mailbox and below the column.
Gordon (née Laura de Force; August 17, 1838, North East, Pennsylvania – April 5, 1907, Lodi, California) was an American lawyer, editor, and a prominent campaigner for women’s rights in the American West. She was the first woman to run a daily newspaper in the United States (the Stockton Daily Leader, 1873). She was a key proponent of the Women’s Lawyers Bill allowing women to practice law in California, and the related language in the California Constitution allowing women to practice any profession in California." (Submitted on December 23, 2015.)

Additional keywords. feminist feminism suffragette

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 673 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 23, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.