Suitcase Mary and Her Band of Misfits
Ok, so Mary Bartelme aka Suitcase Mary didn't really have a band of misfits, but I would definitely at least pick up a book with that title.
In broad strokes, Bartelme went to Northwestern's School of Law in 1892 and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1894. I'm a firm believer in not condescending to the past, but also like. The U.S. was still six years away from every state having said "ok, yeah, if you're married and a woman, I guess your husband can't legally DEMAND your wages. Maybe." And I feel pretty okay being condescending about that.
The 1890s were part of the Progressive Era, which is an excellent era to look back on because so many IMPROVEMENTS were being made. Bartelme worked during this time as a children's advocate, earning her nickname by creating a program that gave foster children a suitcase with clean clothes and basic necessities in it. She was also the first woman judge in all of Illinois??
Chicago has a Mary Bartelme Park, which is v. popular for photo shoots, for obvious reasons.
She paid special attention to wayward girls, as she believed that not many people in the judicial system cared about the well-being of delinquent girls. Bartelme created a special Girl's Court which heard only the cases of young girls and was presided by an entirely female staff. (x)
She did some really awesome things and there's almost no biographical info on her because of the PATRIARCHY (I'm gonna try to work that in each time). Great job, Mary Bartelme.