Edith Bornn facts for kids

Edith Bornn (born August 30, 1922 – died June 4, 2010) was an American lawyer from Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She made history by becoming the first woman to open her own law office on the island. Edith Bornn was also known for caring about the environment and helping children. She helped start the League of Women Voters (LWV) on the island. This group works to make laws better for people and communities in the Caribbean. She led the local LWV group and later became the national president for the whole U.S. organization. She also worked on many important committees for the Virgin Islands government.

Edith Bornn's Early Life and Education

Edith Lucille Bornn was born on August 30, 1922. Her hometown was Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas. This island is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her parents were Gladys and David Bornn.

After finishing her early schooling, Edith went to Charlotte Amalie High School. When she graduated, Edith and her sister Angela moved to the United States. They both continued their studies at Barnard College. Edith was very active on campus. She led the student government and helped with a big fundraising effort called the National War Fund Drive.

In 1945, she earned her degree in political science. She then went on to study law at Columbia University School of Law. In 1948, Edith graduated with a law degree. She was one of only five women in her class. She also passed the New York State bar exam, which meant she could practice law.

Edith Bornn's Career and Impact

Right after finishing law school, Edith Bornn started working for the United Nations' Caribbean Commission. This job was in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Her task was to gather information for a report on social laws across the Caribbean. For two years, she worked as a research librarian and legal secretary.

Her job involved traveling to many places. She visited the British West Indies, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. She looked at how people worked and lived. This information helped prepare a report on how to improve laws in these areas. While in Trinidad, she met her distant cousin, Andrew Bornn. They got married on November 21, 1951, in St. Thomas.

The Bornns made their home in St. Thomas. Edith then worked as a law clerk for Herman E. Moore. He was a U.S. District Court Judge. Edith and Andrew had three sons named David, Steven, and Andy.

A Pioneer in Law

In 1955, Edith Bornn opened her own law office. This was a very important step. She became the first woman to have a private law practice in the Virgin Islands. She focused on family law. She was especially interested in laws that protected women and children.

Besides her private law work, Edith served on many government committees. These included:

• The Economic Stabilization Committee from 1961 to 1963.
• The Committee on Juvenile Delinquency from 1963 to 1965.
• The Governor's Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Improvement from 1963 to 1969.

Protecting the Environment

Edith Bornn was also very involved in environmental issues. She worried about too much building and development. This kind of growth can harm natural areas. She led protests and attended meetings to stop too many resorts from being built. These resorts threatened beaches and places where wildlife lived.

Leading Women's Rights

In 1956, Edith Bornn helped start the Women's League. She also founded the Virgin Island's chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV). This group helps people get involved in their communities and government. She was the president of the local chapter from 1976 to 1979. Later, she became the National President of the League of Women Voters of the United States. She held this important role from 1980 to 1982.

Edith also took part in many international conferences for women. She encouraged women to become active in politics and their communities. She did this through the LWV, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, and the World Jurist Association.

Edith Bornn's Legacy

Edith Bornn passed away on June 4, 2010. She died at the Roy Schneider Hospital in Charlotte Amalie. She had been ill for a long time with Alzheimer's disease.

She is remembered as a true pioneer in law in the U.S. Virgin Islands. People remember her strong efforts to help women and children. She is also honored for her work in protecting the environment and natural places.

See also

• First women lawyers around the world