When people think of women making history, their first thought is not necessarily women from Arizona. Many opt for the better-known names, such as Amelia Earhart or Rosa Parks. However, Lorna E. Lockwood’s impact for women in the modern world is unprecedented to anyone else. As a woman in the 1940s, Lockwood was one of the first female lawyers in the state of Arizona that led her on the path to joining the government sect of Arizona and becoming the first woman in Arizona to be an Assistant to the Attorney General. Lorna E. Lockwood paved a new way for women across America, and not only faced ridicule, but also genuine praise. Lorna Elizabeth Lockwood was born March 24, 1903 (‘Lorna E, Lockwood”), to Daisy Maude Lincoln and attorney Alfred …show more content…
In 1939, she took her place on the bench of the Arizona State Legislature and began her own private practice law firm with her partner, Loretta Savage (David). This was a monumental moment for the history of women in the state of Arizona. Not only was Lorna one of the first women in Arizona to go to law school and become an attorney, she was now a major player in the Arizona government and owned her own firm. The 40s were starting off bright for Lorna, unfortunately there were some places where this luck began to falter. In 1942, Lorna and Loretta had to “dissolve their partnership” due to their lack of clientele and minimal exposure (David). However, Lorna still prospered in her legislative aspects. At this time, she represented District 8 and fought for the “merit system” in regards to state employees and how they acquired their positions (David). During her time as a legislature, she “produced thirteen bills independently…worked for better health care…and served on several committees, including Child Welfare, Education, Public Health, Highways and Bridges, and the Judiciary Committee, which she chaired” (David). Lorna ran and ran again for her seat in the legislature and each time, she won. However, in 1942, along with dissolving her firm, Lorna resigned as a legislator and took a job in Washington, D.C., as “the assistant to Arizona’s only congressman, John R. Murdock.” (David). While she spent her time in D.C., …show more content…
Lockwood returned home in 1944, and soon acquired the job of “chief attorney for the Office of Price Administration” (David). This temporary agency was created in direct relation to the United State’s involvement in World War II. Its main goal was to prevent wartime inflation and control costs, and Lorna’s position in such agency was rather distinguished (David). Lorna continued her work in the OPA until the war ended in 1945. This same year, Lorna was able to achieve “her childhood dream of going into private law practice with her father” (David). Her accomplishments had led up to this astounding, yet, simple moment. Her father had continually been her inspiration and her backbone throughout all her years of struggling to practice law in the state of Arizona. The following year, Lorna ran for her “third term in the Arizona State Legislature,” and to no surprise, she won and took her seat on the bench in January of 1947 (“Arizona Women’s Heritage