Myra Colby (Bradwell) was born in Manchester, Vermont on February 12, 1831. At the age of twelve, her family moved to Illinois, where she became a teacher. In 1852, she married James B. Bradwell, who was a lawyer. Among her clients was Mary Todd Lincoln, widow of Abraham Lincoln. Myra established the first weekly edition of the Chicago Legal News, becoming the first female editor and business manager. In 1869 she applied for the state bar, but was denied because she was a woman. In 1890 she was finally admitted to the bar and in 1892 practiced before the U.S. Supreme Court. Myra C. Bradwell died of an illness caused by a tumor on February 14, 1894 in Chicago. She and had her husband had four children, two were still living when she died: Thomas Bradwell and Bessie Helmer.