Emilie Bullowa

Emilie Moritz Bullowa (1869 – October 25, 1942) was an American lawyer. She was the first president of the National Association of Women Lawyers. After graduating from the Law College of New York University in 1900, she established a law firm with her brother, specializing in admiralty law. She advocated for women's equality and was a member of the Women Lawyers Association and the Women's City Club of New York. She served on the board of the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women and was its president from 1921 to 1942.

Early life and education Emilie Moritz Bullowa was born in New York in 1869, the eldest of six children of Mary (née Grunhut) and Morris Bullowa. Her father was a merchant from Lubenec, Czechoslovakia. She attended public school in New York and received private lessons in art, music, and languages. She attended Normal College (now Hunter College). Her parents died sometime before she reached the age of 20 and she cared for her siblings.

She was a member of Kappa Beta Pi, earned a law degree from New York University's Law College in 1900. Bullowa was also a clubwoman and a member of the Women's City Club in New York.

Bullowa was president of the Women Lawyers Association of New York City from 1916 until 1922. In 1922, she was a founding member and the first president of the National Association of Women Lawyers. While she served as president the association held its first national conference in Minneapolis in July 1923.

She chaired various American Bar Association committees. She was on the New York County Lawyers Association's committee on citizenship. She was a judge in a New York Times-sponsored contest for essays on the United States Constitution. She served on the board of the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women and was its president from 1921 to 1942.

Later life and philanthropy During her career, Bullowa advocated for legal aid, saying "our democracy doesn't work if the people who can't afford to give compensation for legal aid can't get justice. It is just as important to help people in their rights as in their health and their housing." She also offered her services pro bono to clients in need. She was affiliated with New York's Central Synagogue