Women in History: Genevieve Rose Cline, First Woman Federal Judge

enevieve Rose Cline owed her interest in law to her brother, John. Cline often observed her attorney brother in the courtroom. Her fascination for law grew as she worked in his law office, encouraging the young Cline to pursue her own career in the field of law.

Even before Cline obtained her law degree, she was already making a name for herself. She was first a member of the Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs, then served as chair on the federation's Legislative and State Institutions committee. Clubwomen performed voluntary community service through clubs and other organizations.

After graduating from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea Ohio, Cline was admitted to the bar in 1921. She worked in her brother's law office for a year afterwards.

Cline attended a lecture about tariffs by Ohio Senator Theodore Burton. The subject so fascinated her that she researched tariffs and customs, and spoke with authorities on the subject.

Her self-teaching method paid off as Cline was appointed to appraise merchandise at the Cleveland, Ohio port. She was the first woman to hold such a position.

President Calvin Coolidge nominated Cline as judge of the U.S. Customs Court. His nomination was met with opposition by the Senate, most of whom felt Cline lacked the formal education needed for the job. They also objected to the nomination on the basis of her gender.

Being a Clubwoman proved to be beneficial for Cline as clubwomen stepped up in support of Cline's nomination. She also received support from Katherine Pike, president of the National Association of Women Lawyers.

The Senate finally conceded and confirmed Cline's appointment. She was sworn in on June 5, 1928, the first woman appointed as a federal judge. When she first started, the position paid $10,000 annually.

One of Cline's more noteworthy cases set an historical precedent

It began with a Polish-born soprano named Ganna Walska. Although Walska maintained her own residence in Paris, France, she was married to Harold McCormick of Chicago.

When Walska came to the states, she was expected to pay duty on items she brought with her, even though the items in question would return to Paris with her when she left. The location of where Walska actually lived and kept her belongings was vital to Customs' regulations about paying tariffs on items.

Walska asked the court to rule that a woman could choose her own domicile and not have it chosen for her.

Cline was an avid supporter of women's rights and felt this request to be a sensible one. A unanimous decision by the court established that it made no sense to assume the man in the marriage was the only one to decide where a couple lived. Cline clarified that the decision by the court did not establish equality between men and women under the law.

Cline was the Judge of Customs Court for 25 years until she retired in 1953. She died Oct 25, 1959 at the age of 80.