Women's Bar Association of Illinois

1920 

The 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified.  Women have the right to vote.

1925

The Illinois Supreme Court states the 19^th Amendment does not relate to juries.

1926

Illinois law allows women to vote in school elections.

1929 

Irene V. McCormick, WBAI President, starts a campaign for a Jury Bill referendum and a WBAI’s speaker’s bureau.  WBAI joins with other organizations to form the Illinois Committee on Juries.

1930

The Jury Bill Referendum wins, but the Illinois Supreme Court declares it void.  Helen Cirese writes articles for women on juries.

1931

The WBAI lobbies Illinois Legislature to pass law for women on juries.  It fails by 2 votes.

1935

The WBAI continues to lobby Springfield and sends letters to 400 downstate club women to pressure their legislatures to pass the jury bill.

1936

The WBAI prepares and distributes literature for women on juries “a rallying call to arms….to women in other organized groups through the state to enter the fray.”

1937

The WBAI opposes proposed amendment excluding women under 25, mothers and nuns from jury duty; writes 650 letters to legislators soliciting their positions.

1939

The Jury Bill passed. The Illinois Supreme Court upholds its constitutionality.  The WBAI’s Women on Jury Information Committee prepares a brochure to answer questions from women about jury service.