With spring on the horizon, you may be anxious to finally close out that case that has been following you around for years and to do a deep clean of your inbox to regain some storage space.
For Myra Clark Gaines, it took decades before her attorneys could consider her dispute a thing of the past. In fact, she was outlived by her legal battle. It was the 19th century, so email storage was not a concern, but equality for women was. This article covers the lengthiest civil litigation case in U.S. history. It lasted 57 years and involved drama and scandals intriguing enough to make for a great movie.
Different Times
To set the stage, Ms. Gaines’ case, or really her cases, arose when women’s rights were weak and nuanced.1 For instance, women had to rely on marital status to have standing through their husbands to bring their claims.2 Ms. Gaines also had to address during her legal battles whether she was the product of a legitimate marriage or if she was an “adulterous bastard.”3
The progression of the times is apparent from Ms. Gaines’ case history as the perspectives began to evolve. Part of the shift is attributed to how Ms. Gaines’ attorneys painted her image for the public and played on male sympathy in the courtroom.4 Given the media attention Ms. Gaines received over the years, she is considered to have influenced women’s rights.5