Phyllis H. Hubbard Wilkinson ’52

Phyllis H. Hubbard Wilkinson grew up in Buffalo, the only child of parents who had not gone to college. She attended St. Mary’s Seminary and High School, then went on to UB, planning to earn three-year degrees in business and law. After two years as an undergraduate, she was among the first to take the LSAT exam and was promptly admitted to law school, much sooner than she thought she would be. She graduated with an LLB degree in the Class of 1952, having completed her education in only five years.

Wilkinson lived at home and worked only in legal jobs. Other than an uncle, she didn’t know many lawyers. She knew one female lawyer, a friend of her mother’s, who helped and encouraged her when she was in law school.

Five women were in her law school class. They became good friends and are still close; three still see each other at least once a month. They started law school in the new building downtown on Eagle Street, which had three classrooms at the time. She never had any problems with the male students and felt accepted by them. All five of the women graduated. “We were lucky,” she said.

When Wilkinson applied for her first legal job, she went to two places. She was hired right away as the first woman lawyer at the Buffalo Savings Bank. Her grandmother, who lived with them, thought it was wonderful when she saw Wilkinson’s name on the wall.

Graduating from law school gave Wilkinson self-confidence. She married a doctor soon after graduating, and he was excited for her to practice law. At the Buffalo Savings Bank, she approved the limit of town loans. She had a secretary and felt she was well treated. She earned $35 a week.

When her husband was drafted, she left town and had a child. She didn’t practice law again until her children were in high school. She then continued her career in Family Court.