In honor of Women’s History Month, here is a brief look back at the first two female students at Dickinson Law.

Julia Radle

Dickinson Law’s first female student was Julia Radle.  Ms. Radle entered the Law School in 1897 and graduated in 1899.  A former teacher, Ms. Radle made the decision to attend Law School, in part, due to the urging of her brother Philip, who was also a student at Dickinson Law.

During her first year as a student, Ms. Radle was elected secretary of her class, and she served as vice-president of the Dickinson Law Society.  From 1898-1899, Ms. Radle was an editor for the law review, The Forum.  It is believed that Ms. Radle may have been the first female in the United States to serve as a law review editor.

Ms. Radle was admitted to practice law in 1900 and practiced for two years with her brother Philip in Northumberland County.  After Philip passed away, Ms. Radle returned to teaching.  In 1908, Ms. Radle married Daniel A. Kline, Perry County superintendent of schools.  They had three daughters.  Mrs. Radle Kline passed away in 1970 at the age of 94.

Class of 1899

Sara Marvel

Dickinson Law’s second female student was Sara Marvel.  Ms. Marvel joined Ms. Radle at the Law School in 1898.  She was a member of the Phi Alpha Pi Sorority and the Dickinson Law Society.  She was also elected secretary of her class in her first year, and she served as editor for both The Forum and the yearbook, The Microcosm, from 1899-1900.

After graduating in 1900, Ms. Marvel passed a difficult three-day examination before the Philadelphia Bar.  In 1903, she became engaged to George Coles, also from Dickinson Law’s Class of 1900.

Class of 1900