Kathryn Sellers

Kathryn Sellers (December 25, 1870 – February 23, 1939) was the first federally appointed female judge in the history of the United States. She was nominated to the head of the Juvenile Court of the District of Columbia by President Woodrow Wilson in 1918.[1]

Kathryn Sellers
Head Judge of the Juvenile Court for the District of Columbia
In office
1918–1934
Appointed byWoodrow Wilson
Personal details
Born
Kathryn Sellers

(1870-12-25)December 25, 1870
Broadway, Ohio, U.S.
DiedFebruary 23, 1939(1939-02-23) (aged 68)
Washington, D.C., U.S.

Biography

Sellers was born on December 25, 1870 in Broadway, Ohio.[2] She worked as a bibliographer and librarian, and was employed by the weather bureau in Washington, D.C., as well as the U.S. Department of State from 1900 to 1911.[3] During this time Sellers became a member of the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia.[4] In 1918, she was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson to be placed at the head of the Juvenile Court of the District of Columbia. She was confirmed later that year, making her the first federally appointed woman to the bench in the history of the United States. Kathryn Sellers served in this position for over 15 years, resigning on February 17, 1934.[5] She died on February 23, 1939 at her home in Washington, D.C., and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Marysville, Ohio.[6]

References
  1. Weatherford, Doris (20 January 2012). Women in American Politics: History and Milestones. CQ Press. pp. K360–. ISBN 978-1-60871-007-2.
  2. Proctor, John Clagett; Williams, Edwin Melvin; Black, Frank P. (1930). Washington, Past and Present: A History. Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 115.
  3. Ohio State Bar Association (1943). Ohio Bar: Publication of the Ohio State Bar Association. Ohio state bar association. p. 246.
  4. "WBA History". Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  5. "Woman Jurist 13 Years on Bench". The Los Angeles Times. December 28, 1931. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  6. "Kathryn Sellers". Find a grave. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
Legal offices
Preceded by
 Head Judge of the Juvenile Court for the District of Columbia
1918–1934		 Succeeded by
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