The signing of the bill by President Rutherford B. Hayes was a turning point in the legal rights of women in the United States. Before this legislation, women faced significant obstacles in entering the legal profession, often being denied the ability to argue cases in courtrooms, particularly in the Supreme Court. The bill was a response to growing advocacy for women's rights and the recognition that women could excel in professions traditionally dominated by men. Hayes, who was also interested in reforming the government and promoting civil service, saw this bill as a means to uplift women in the legal sphere. This act did not only create opportunities for female attorneys but also encouraged their education and involvement in law, stemming from earlier suffrage movements and the push for equal rights post-Civil War. The first woman admitted to practice before the Supreme Court was Belva Lockwood in 1879, shortly after the bill was signed, exemplifying the immediate impact of this legislation. This change signaled a shift in societal norms about women's roles both in the workplace and in public life, setting a precedent for future legislation aimed at advancing gender equality.