The Oklahoma Bar Journal September 2024

the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of American Colonists, the Colonial Dames of the 17th Century and the La Petite Soeur Book Club. 28 At 96, she was still practicing three to four days a week in her downtown Oklahoma City office. When she died on Oct. 24, 1986, she had practiced for 75 years; she had the distinction of being the oldest practicing female attorney in the state. 29 She filed her last pleading, a notice of hearing on the final account in a probate matter, on Feb. 25, 1986. 30 As Stephen P. Friot would say in a Briefcase article paying tribute to Ms. Sturdevant, “She was an inspira tion to me. Not only did I see her practice law until she was in her mid-90s, I saw her go about her busi ness with an indomitable spirit.” Ms. Sturdevant was an inspira tion to both the legal community and her family. Her great-niece,

Susan Huddleston Belote, who was also a lawyer, commented, “A person couldn’t have had a better role model in both the law and in life, and we were truly blessed to have this remarkable woman in our family and in our lives.” 31 Individual Sources: Susan Huddleston Belote Judge Stephen P. Friot Patty Grona Patty McWilliams Justice Marian P. Opala 1. “Kathryn Clyde (Kittie C.) Sturdevant,” The Daily Oklahoman , Oct. 27, 1986. 2. Joseph B. Thoburn, Muriel H. Wright, Oklahoma: A History of The State and Its People , Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1929, p.37. 3. Ann DeFrange, “Lawyer is Pioneer in Profession,” The Daily Oklahoman , Jan. 21, 1970. 4. Thoburn. 5. Bernice McShane, “University of Hard Knocks’ Law School in 1912 for Woman Attorney,” The Daily Oklahoman , April 3, 1985. 6. Orben J. Casey, And Justice For All: The Legal Profession in Oklahoma , 1821-1989, The Oklahoma Heritage Association, 1989, p.153. 7. McShane. ENDNOTES

8. Id. 9. Casey. 10. The Blackstone Institute, established in 1914, was a self-study two-volume law course for individuals preparing to practice law. 11. Casey.

12. Id. 13. Id. 14. Id. 15. McShane.

16. Id. 17. Id. 18. Casey. 19. Id. 20. Id ., p.153-154. 21. Id. , p.154. 22. McShane. 23. Id.

24. “Kathryn Clyde (Kittie C.) Sturdevant.” 25. Patty Grotta, “Paving the Way ... A Look Back at Some Women Who Were Ahead of Their Time: Katherine Clyde Sturdevant,” Briefcase , May 1999, p. 1a. 26. Id. 27. Lake, for Use & Benefit of Benton v. Crosser , 1950 OK 49, 216 P.2d 583; Grindstaff v. State , 165 P.2d 846 (Okla. Crim. App. 1946); Burton v. Harn , 1945 OK 29, 156 P.2d 618; State ex rel. Williamson v. State Election Bd. , 1943 OK 91, 135 P.2d 982; Hud Oil & Refining Co. v. Smith , 1937 OK 41, 65 P.2d 1011. 28. “Kathryn Clyde (Kittie C.) Sturdevant.” 29. Grotta. 30. Stephen P. Friot, “A Tribute to the Human Spirit,” Briefcase , October 1991. 31. Grotta.

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

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