On July 15, 1918, Gertrude Rush became the first African American woman licensed to practice law in Iowa.
On July 15, 1918, Gertrude Rush passed the Iowa bar examination, officially becoming the first African American female lawyer in the state. This achievement took place in a period when racial segregation was institutionalized across much of the United States, presenting numerous barriers to women of color in professional fields. Her licensure was not merely a personal victory but a groundbreaking event that opened doors for African American women in law, an area heavily dominated by white males. Rush's admission to the bar echoed the ongoing struggles for racial and gender equality and demonstrated her unyielding commitment to justice.