Scientific American, v 41 (ns) no 14, p 218, 4 October 1879
A Lady Patent Lawyer
For the first time in the federal courts of this district, a lady practitioner appeared the other day in this city before Judge Blatchford, in the United States Circuit Court, and argued in person a motion for an injunction in a patent suit for the alleged infringement of a patent of her own. The lady is Miss Helen Marie MacDonald, of Boston.
It will be remembered that for the last ten or fifteen years a considerable number of ladies have been employed in the Patent Office at Washington, some of whom have occupied the positions of examiners. In general they have shown activity and ability in the discharge of their official duties, and the experience gained ought to qualify them to serve acceptably as attorneys.