Entering the Arena
The Spectacular History of Women at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York
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Entering the Arena is a lively and illuminating history of women prosecutors in the fabled Southern District of New York. Starting in the earliest days of the 20th century and running up to the modern era, former SDNY Criminal Division Chief Lisa Zornberg presents compelling mini-biographies of the extraordinary women who, against all odds, made a major impact in what was until relatively recently a “man’s world." Zornberg writes with charm, humor, sympathy and admiration for the colleagues who preceded and succeeded her. Lawyers and non-lawyers will appreciate this inspiring and spirited account.—Elkan Abramowitz, founding partner of Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello PC
This terrific book tells the story of the women lawyers who served the public interest as Assistant United States Attorneys, with ethics and integrity, in the Southern District of New York, an office established by President Washington in 1789.The story, as told by the author, a former assistant in that office, is an amazing, touching, and inspiring one.—John D. Feerick, Sidney C. Norris Chair of Law in Public Service, Fordham University School of Law
A wonderful read! Combining elegant writing with a zest for the remarkable and unexpected details, Zornberg recounts the storied history and fierce independence of the SDNY’s brave and brilliant first women AUSAs.—Nicole Gueron, Founding Partner of Clarick Gueron Reisbaum
Entering the Arena: The Spectacular History of Women at SDNY is a gem. It is a fascinating, never before told history of the incredible women of the most powerful prosecutor’s office in the country told in an engaging, quick-witted storytelling style. It depicts the importance of reaching for dreams even when they seem impossible, being relentless in pursuit of them, and the tangible impact large social movements can have. Most importantly, this book comes at a crucial moment with a message everyone needs to hear: a strong democracy requires strong institutions and strong institutions come from strong leadership. Lisa takes us on a journey that crystalizes this through compelling stories about an institution that has endured and thrived since 1789, the SDNY.—Mimi Rocah, former Westchester District Attorney
Introduction | 1
On the Precipice of Change, 1 • The Arena, 5 •
Roadmap, 6 • Pat Hynes: “Serendipity,” 9
I Mary Grace Quackenbos, A War Poem | 11
Verse I: The People’s Law Firm | 11
Verse II: Mrs. Quackenbos Meets the Monster | 17
Verse III: Tip of the Spear—How Quackenbos Came to Be Hired by SDNY | 22
Verse IV: Congress—Who Is This Mrs. Quackenbos? | 26
Verse V: Hostilities at Home—Stimson and Quackenbos | 30
Verse VI: Sunny Side, Roosevelt, and the End of the Odyssey | 36
Verse VII: The Exode | 45
II The Roaring Twenties for Women at SDNY | 55
The War Hero and the Suffragist | 56
Emory Buckner: The Kipper’s Knickers | 70
“Ellamarye Takes Her Broom to New York City” | 76
SCRAPS: Pulpit of a Preacher’s Son | 79
The Naked Showgirl in the Bathtub of Champagne, the Indicted Attorney General,
and Buckner’s Stage Right Exit | 81
Valerie Block and the Hushed-Up Scandal of 1929 | 85
Adieu to an Era | 88
III Backslide, Amnesia, Blockade | 91
Backslide: The 1930s | 91
Amnesia: The 1940s | 100
Defining Deviance: The 1950s | 104
The Blockade: 1959–1969 | 113
IV How SDNY Irrevocably Opened to Women in the 1970s | 119
Shirah Neiman: Her Moment | 120
Morgenthau’s Refusal to Resign | 121
Whitney North Seymour Jr., “Renaissance Mensch ” | 122
How The Blockade Came Down | 124
Barbara Ann Rowan: A Great Wit, and a First | 131
The Crack in the Door Widens, 1971–1975 | 137
How Bob Fiske Blew the Door Off the Hinges, 1976–1980 | 142
Leaving It All In (and on the) Court | 146
On Chickens, Eggs, and the Transformation of the Legal Profession | 152
Afterword | 155
A Gallery of Women AUSAs of the 1970s | 159
Acknowledgments | 187
Notes | 189
Index | 225
