Preview
Class Year
1917
Description
Lena Madesin Phillips, LL.B.
Nicholasville, Kentucky
Chi Omega; Business Manager Law Journal (4); Henry Clay Law Society; Democratic Club'.
"When there Is a lady in the case all other things give place." Those who meet Miss Lena In the contests off the forum will testify to the truth of this quotation. Her presence In the Law Department has always lent that dignity and propriety to the atmosphere of the college which can only be impressed by a truly lady lawyer.
-The Kentuckian, 1917
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Lena Madesin Phillips (September 15, 1881 - May 20, 1955) was born Anna Lena Phillips in Jessamine County, Kentucky to William Henry Phillips and Alice Shook. Phillips changed her name at a young age to honor a brother's medical career. Phillips first graduated from the Jessamine Female Institute, where she particularly excelled in the piano. While an accident dashed Phillips' hopes of becoming a concert pianist, she was able to teach music at the Jessamine Female Institute after a brief period of study at the Woman's College of Baltimore.
Phillips, whose father was a judge and lawyer in Jessamine County, began her legal studies at the University of Kentucky. She graduated from the College of Law in 1917 and began her own legal practice in Nicholasville that year. Phillips moved to New York City shortly after. She began to practice law in the city and received a Master's in Law from New York University in 1923.
In 1919, Phillips became one of the founding members of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs of the United States. Phillips was President of the organization between 1926-1929. In her work with the organization, Phillips actively campaigned for women's rights throughout the United States. In 1930, Phillips was chosen as the first President of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women and she served in this capacity until 1947.
Phillips had a decades long relationship with actress Marjory Lacey-Baker. The couple lived together and worked closely in political activities.
Phillips died in France 1955. She is buried in Jessamine County.
