Laughlin, Gail (1868–1952)
Laughlin, Gail (1868–1952)
American lawyer, feminist, and politician. Name variations: Abbie Hill Laughlin, Abigail Laughlin. Born Abbie Hill Laughlin, May 7, 1868, in Robbinston, Maine; died Mar 13, 1952, in Portland, Maine; dau. of Robert C. Laughlin (iron-worker) and Elizabeth P. (Stuart) Laughlin; Wellesley College, AB, 1894; Cornell University, LLB, 1898.
State legislator who campaigned for Equal Rights Amendment, prohibition, and right for women to serve on juries, was admitted to NY bar and opened law office in NYC (1899); appointed expert agent to US Industrial Commission (1900); campaigned throughout nation for women's suffrage for National American Woman Suffrage Association (1902–06); admitted to Colorado bar, opened law office in Denver (1908); served on CO board of pardons (1911–14) and on (Denver) Mayor's Advisory Council (1912); moved to San Francisco and opened law office (1914); at 1st convention of National Federation of Business and Professional women, was elected 1st president (1919); moved to Portland, Maine, and began law practice (1924); successfully ran for state legislature (1929) and served 3 terms, introducing legislation aimed at furthering women's rights, and helping organize Maine department of health; served on state senate (1935–41) and was 1st woman recorder of court decisions (1941–45); suffered minor stroke and went into semi-retirement (1948).