University of Cincinnati
After graduating from Ward-Belmont in 1928, Elizabeth Igler received her degree in law from the University of Cincinnati in 1932. While attending the University of Cincinnati, Igler was part of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority on campus. She graduated with honors and passed the Bar Exam in Ohio.
Grades and Course Schedules
Igler, Elizabeth, "Elizabeth Igler's Scrapbook 1927-1928" (1927). Scrapbooks. 28. https://repository.belmont.edu/scrapbooks/28
1931-1932
Igler's course schedule from her final semester at the university. She took corporate law, constitutional law, legal ethics, trusts, and mortgages.
1929-1930
Igler's final examination scores from her second year at the university. She was tested on Bills and Notes, Code Pleading, Equity, Evidence, Federal Procedure, Prosperity II, Sales, and Trial Practice.
1930-1931
Igler's final examination scores from her third year at the university. She was tested on Constitutional Law, Corporations, Future Interests, Mortgages, Municipal Corp, Trusts, Wills, and Legal Ethics.
Kappa Alpha Theta at the University
Igler, Elizabeth, "Elizabeth Igler's Scrapbook 1927-1928" (1927). Scrapbooks. 28. https://repository.belmont.edu/scrapbooks/28
November 22nd, 1931
Igler's invitation from the University's Kappa Alpha Theta (Theta) chapter to a recruitment event.
Igler's formal invitation for Theta Membership.
"Alpha Tau of Kappa Alpha Theta cordially invites you to become a member."
September 22nd, 1931
"Kappa Alpha Theta Special-
Conditions: This ticket good for one continuous passage with Alpha Tau's personally conducted tour of the world. Good only September 22, 1931. In consideration at receiving this free ticket, each of the persons named hereby, using the same, voluntarily assumes all risk of accident..."
Theta banquet program. The processional included the Theta prayer, a message from the Grand President, a presentation of activities, music, and introductions
The Theta Kite refers to the sorority's emblem (a kite) and is an integral part of Theta legacy. The four points of the kite are a visual representation of Theta's four core values: intellectual curiosity, leadership potential, commitment to service, and personal excellence (kappaalphatheta.org).
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"We should love to: have a voice like Jeannette Nichols. Be petite like Sis Quebman. Be aliginified like Woody Dom. Be statuesque like Jane Aiken. Be sarcastic like Mary E. Herring. Have curly hair like Virginia Craig. Be blonde like Mary Holman. Be athletic like Doogie Coombs. Be naive like Dottie Hoffman. Be quiet like Morton Brown."
The verbiage of certain sections in this briefing do reinforce some of the patriarchal power structures which existed at Ward-Belmont: "Be petite...Be naive... Be quiet..."
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This verbiage contradicts Igler's resistance to these patriarchal power structures. Her ability to assert herself in legal scholarship, a predominantly male space at the time, is her own form of activism against this oppressive language. A legal education forces students to be assertive and self-assured, a direct contrast to the patriarchal expectation that women be naive and quiet. Igler was able to achieve success in this field despite these structures which aimed to silence her activism.
Graduation and the Bar Exam
Igler, Elizabeth, "Elizabeth Igler's Scrapbook 1927-1928" (1927). Scrapbooks. 28. https://repository.belmont.edu/scrapbooks/28
June 10th, 1932
"Miss Elizabeth Igler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Igler, will receive her diploma at the commencement exercises at the Law School of the Cincinnati University. Saturday, June 11, Miss Igler was awarded the third highest honors in her class and was intitiated into the Order of the Coif, honorary legal fraternity."
An excerpt on Igler in the local paper for the Village of Glendale, Ohio:
"Graduates with Honors: The valley is to have another woman attorney."
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Igler graduated at the top of her class and was elected into the Order of the Coif: a legal scholastic honor society.
More excerpts on Igler in local newspapers:
"Co-ed Lawyers up for graduation. Six young women to receive diplomas from University's College of Law this year."
Igler's certification of membership in Phi Delta Delta Legal Fraternity
Igler's registration for the Bar Exam:
​"Instructions to applicants for the Ohio State Bar Examination..."
Entrance fee for the Ohio State Bar Exam, 1932.
"Six women to become lawyers... Cincinnatians pass Bar test... Igler joins Bar... Girl among five from valley pass Bar test... Elizabeth Igler earns right to practice law in Ohio Courts..."
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Igler is mentioned in these four articles for passing the Bar Exam in Ohio and earning the right to practice law. She documented this achievement with these clippings at the end of her Ward-Belmont scrapbook.
The continual specification that Igler was a "girl" to pass the Bar Exam, and a "woman lawyer," reflects the infrequency of a woman in the legal field at this time. This makes Igler's success in this field especially impressive, and further emphasizes this scrapbook as a site for political engagement. Igler's inclusion of these articles documenting her achievement, in the same scrapbook where she documents verbiage designed to limit and oppress women students, acts as the physical subversion of patriarchal power structures.
