Sophonisba Breckinridge is an outstanding alumna of the University of Chicago whose accomplishments and contributions to social issues are honored yearly by Sophie Day at Breckinridge House. Unfortunately, her legacy and memory are threatened by the University of Chicago administration’s plan to retire her house name. As friends of Sophonisba Breckinridge, help us urge the University to continue to honor her legacy by naming a house after her in the new Campus North Residence Hall.

Breckinridge dedicated her life to help solve the pressing social issues of her day. She was active in several causes, including: women’s suffrage, labor, and children’s protection and labor laws reform. Breckinridge was also involved in African American civil rights and helped establish the NAACP.

Breckinridge was a pioneer in a time when women had little voice in the public space. In 1904, she was the first woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School and was also the first woman admitted to the bar in her native Kentucky. During her time at the University of Chicago, Breckinridge held the position of assistant professor of social economy, dean in the College of Arts, Literature and Science, dean of pre-professional social service students, and Samuel Deutsch professor of public welfare administration.

It is important that as friends of Sophonisba Breckinridge we do our part to make sure that such an amazing woman, a woman far ahead of her time, is properly remembered. Please help our efforts to preserve her house name so that future classes know about such an amazing woman. And importantly, that she is not forgotten.