The Filipina Who Became the First Woman to Graduate from Harvard Law School

FOR nearly 133 years, Harvard Law School (HSL) belonged to men. It was a time when men were the ones clattering the field of academia while women were contained within the domestic sphere, their ambitions often dismissed. 

In the Philippines, the case was the same. As the country grappled with the vestige of colonial occupations and the detritus of the war against the Japanese, it remained entrenched in the patriarchal values brought by the foreign occupiers. Men were seen as the rightful stewards of law and governance, while most women were expected to remain in the confines of their households. 

But not all women accepted this male-dominated destiny. Erlinda Arce Ignacio Espiritu was one of them. 

A Young Girl’s Dream

In the 1930s, Erlinda was a young girl living in the small island of Mindoro in the Philippines. Her father was a four-term governor in the province and her uncles were lawyers. 

“Women were expected to stay at home, and even those who pursued education were only preparing to teach,” Erlinda recalled in a 2007 interview with the Harvard Bulletin, describing the era in which she was raised.

But the young Erlinda refused to let this discrimination hinder her ambitions. She dreamed high, reaching for achievements beyond what society allowed, and she dreamed deep, envisioning a future where justice extended to the marginalized. 

A legend ignited her dream of becoming a lawyer—the tale of the Knights of the Round Table. The English legend tells the story of the valiant King Arthur and his adventures. Central to this tale was the round table, a symbol of equality where no one sat at the head, unlike a rectangular table that signified hierarchy. 

“The knights were always defending the defenseless, and I thought, How could I do that?” said Erlinda. 

It was no easy quest to reach this dream, especially in the turbulent 1940s, when the Philippines was engulfed in a struggle against the Japanese Occupation. 

But Erlinda persevered. She studied law at Manuel L. Quezon School of Law in Manila, where she met her future husband. 

Soon enough, she became one of the few women lawyers in the Philippines in 1947. 

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Journey to Harvard

Erlinda’s Harvard Law Photograph | Photo Courtesy: @hardvardlaw

Yet Erlinda’s journey didn’t stop there. Her father— the late Mindoro Governor Arturo Arce Ignacio— encouraged her to seek postgraduate education in the United States. 

Erlinda gave in on her father’s request— but under one condition. 

“I told my father, if he wanted me to study abroad, I would go,” said Erlinda, “—provided it would be at Harvard Law School.”

During that time, women from the United States were also making progress in advancing their rights. But the development remained slow, especially for women in the legal profession, including enrollments from law faculties and universities. 

Women remained a minority among law students, and the most accessible education for them was provided by less prestigious institutions. 

It was no wonder, therefore, that Erlinda set her sights on Harvard Law School— the one considered as the top law school in the US during the time. 

“At that time, I knew Harvard Law accepted only male students,” recalled Erlinda.

Yet she pressed forward and submitted her application. It was then that she discovered Harvard Corporation had overturned its long-standing policy of barring women from its law school.

However, Erlinda’s fight to prove herself was far from over. Her journey at Harvard was grueling, and there were moments when she felt completely lost. 

The challenges extended beyond the rigorous academics of a top university—she also had to navigate a foreign culture vastly different from her own. 

Language became another hurdle, as she struggled to understand what she described as the “Americans’ slurring manner of speech.”

It was the excellence of her professors that allowed Erlinda to get through these difficulties. She said that these challenges allowed her to develop her critical thinking skills. 

In 1951, Erlinda made history. With her diploma in hand, she became the first woman to earn a degree from Harvard Law School—a victory not just for the Philippines, but for women everywhere.

The Trial of Skills

In 1959, Erlinda’s legal skills were put into trial as she took on a significant case— one that captured the attention of the country: the case of Primitivo Ala, also known as Baby Ama. 

Primitivo Ala, along with Nicolas Mojica, was charged with murder. He was sentenced to be executed for the death of his fellow prisoner. 

Erlinda— who never handled a criminal case before— believed her client to be innocent. She recommended the case be remanded or be returned to the lower court for reconsideration. 

Although the court praised Erlinda’s memo, they approved the death sentence. 

Erlinda continued to fight, appealing to the Board of Pardons. And just before the scheduled execution of her client, she managed to get him a commutation from the country’s president. 

The case, later adapted into a movie, prompted a review of existing laws.

A Lesson from Erlinda

Erlinda Espiritu | Photo Courtesy: Harvard Law Bulletin

Erlinda’s journey was more than just a personal triumph—it was a testament to what women can achieve despite the obstacles imposed by their environment. Her resilience, ambition, and perseverance serve as a powerful lesson: women can claim victory even in the face of adversity.

But her story also offers a broader reflection on society itself. It reminds us of the heights women can reach when given the support and opportunities they deserve. To limit women based on narrow beliefs is not just a disservice to them—it is a loss for all of us, denying society the progress and triumphs that come from breaking barriers.