Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Awards Dinner & Induction Ceremony
Held on October 18, 2017
Among the Historical Inductees is Ella Mae Backus (1863 – 1938)
Ella Mae Backus was nominated by GGRWHC board member, Ruth Stevens. Ruth has also written a peer reviewed article which appeared in the Fall 2016 Michigan Historicl Review, “Assistant US Attorney Ella Mae Backus: ‘A most important figure in the legal profession in the Western District of Michigan.’
In 1903 Ella Mae Backus was the first woman appointed Clerk of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Michigan. Twenty years later she again made history as the first woman appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney, one of only six in the nation. Through her 35 years in the district office, Backus inspired later women to step from the governmental position into higher office and other legal fields.
More information about those inducted can be found at this link.