Margaret Brent: America’s First Woman Lawyer & Landowner

Margaret Brent is honored by the Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter during Women’s History Month for her groundbreaking role as the first female attorney in the American colonies. Widely recognized as a pioneer in the history of American law, Brent’s legal career in 17th-century Maryland set a precedent for generations of women in law and politics. Her story is one of fierce independence, legal intellect, and resistance to social norms that excluded women from formal power.

Born around 1601 in Gloucestershire, England, Brent immigrated to the Maryland colony in 1638, where she would become a formidable legal presence. At a time when women had virtually no legal standing, Brent boldly asserted her right to own property, manage estates, and appear in court as both plaintiff and counsel. Her legal contributions laid early groundwork for women’s rights in America and positioned her as one of colonial Maryland’s most influential figures.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, the FBA Maryland Chapter proudly recognizes Margaret Brent’s legacy. Her contributions serve as a lasting reminder that legal advocacy and courage can reshape history, even in the most unlikely circumstances.

Legal Beginnings and Trailblazing Courtroom Presence

Margaret Brent began her legal journey shortly after arriving in Maryland in 1638 with her siblings. A wealthy, unmarried landowner, Brent used her legal status to participate in the largely male-dominated legal system of the colonial era. Between 1638 and 1646, she represented herself and her brothers in court with exceptional success, winning every case she participated in during those eight years. This track record alone distinguishes her as one of the earliest known female legal advocates in colonial North America.

Her ability to work within—and often challenge—the boundaries of colonial law made Brent a respected figure within Maryland’s legal community. She understood the strategic use of legal documentation, property law, and representation at a time when most women were excluded from such matters. Brent was also one of the first women in Maryland to patent land in her name, signaling her refusal to cede legal rights despite societal expectations of female dependence.

By leveraging her knowledge and status, Brent carved out a space where she could act in her own interest and the interest of others. Her example demonstrates the power of persistence and legal reasoning in the face of institutional exclusion. In a colonial court system shaped by English common law, she used every tool at her disposal to assert autonomy and protect property rights.

Managing a Governor’s Estate and Defending Claims

A defining moment in the legal career of Margaret Brent came in 1647, when she was appointed as executrix of Governor Leonard Calvert’s estate. Calvert, recognizing her exceptional capabilities, left her in charge of managing his estate after his death. He explicitly instructed her to “take all and pay all,” a directive that granted her unprecedented authority for a woman in colonial America.

Brent’s role as executrix demonstrated her ability to manage complex legal and financial matters. She handled approximately 124 claims against the estate and made difficult decisions to settle debts and stabilize the colonial government’s finances. In doing so, she protected both Calvert’s legacy and the financial future of the Maryland colony. Her stewardship during a volatile political period was essential to the survival of the local government, earning her widespread—if unofficial—recognition for her leadership.

Although she acted without formal governmental power, Brent’s command over the estate reflected her de facto influence in legal and political affairs. She functioned as an attorney, trustee, and fiscal agent at a time when women were denied even the right to vote or hold office. Her appointment marked one of the earliest examples of a woman performing high-level legal duties in colonial America.

Demanding a Voice in the Maryland Assembly

Perhaps the most iconic act of Margaret Brent’s legal and political advocacy occurred in 1648, when she appeared before the Maryland General Assembly and demanded both a voice and a vote. Acting as attorney-in-fact for Lord Baltimore, she argued that her legal authority and property interests entitled her to legislative participation. Her now-famous words—“I’ve come to seek a voice in this assembly. And yet because I am a woman, forsooth I must stand idly by and not even have a voice in the framing of your laws”—encapsulates her bold vision for women’s equality under the law.

Though the Assembly denied her request, Brent’s petition marked one of the earliest documented efforts by a woman to claim political rights in the colonies. She challenged not only legal conventions but the very foundations of exclusion that would persist for centuries. In doing so, she planted seeds for the future suffrage and feminist movements that would emerge in the United States.

Her actions serve as an enduring example of civil courage, standing alone to assert a principle that society was not yet ready to recognize. While she never gained formal political power, her voice in that moment continues to echo in the history of American women’s legal and civil rights.

Honoring Margaret Brent During Women’s History Month

Margaret Brent stands as a foundational figure in American legal history and an early advocate for women’s participation in law and politics. Her success in Maryland’s colonial courts, management of a governor’s estate, and groundbreaking demand for a vote in the Maryland Assembly reflect both her legal brilliance and her courageous defiance of patriarchal norms.

Though denied formal recognition in her lifetime, Brent’s legacy has since been honored in legal scholarship, public commemoration, and feminist history. She is remembered today as the first female lawyer in the American colonies and as a legal innovator whose example paved the way for future generations of women in law.

The Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter proudly celebrates Margaret Brent during Women’s History Month. Her contributions continue to inspire Maryland’s legal community and remind us that advocacy and integrity can reshape what is possible. To explore additional stories of trailblazing women in law and participate in events celebrating their impact, visit the Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter events page.