Allen, Florence

Florence Allen was a lawyer and suffrage activist who was elected on a non-partisan ticket to a five-year term as Judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in November of 1920. Two years later Allen was elected to a seat on the Ohio Supreme Court, and became the first woman to serve on any state's highest court. She received support across party lines and women voters were helpful in the campaign. Allen also ran for the U.S. Senate in 1926, but was defeated by a Democratic rival in the primaries. In 1928 Allen also campaigned for a seat in the U.S. House, but again lost in the primary race. In 1934 President Franklin D. Roosevelt nominated Allen to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. She was confirmed by the Senate and served for many years, often being mentioned for a seat on the U.S Supreme Court. She was the first woman to serve on an article three federal court.