The story of Ella Knowles Haskell is the story of a reformer—a women’s rights advocate and active populist who stood up to naysayers to become the Montana’s first female attorney.  See her facing conflict as she confronted critical social ideas and outdated practices.  See who she faced in these encounters and learn how she accomplished her goals through diplomacy and compromise.

Secondary Sources

Roeder, Richard B.  “Crossing the Gender Line: Ella L. Knowles, Montana’s First Woman Lawyer,” Montana The Magazine of Western History, 32 (Summer, 1982): 64-75.

Primary and Secondary Sources on the Web

Morrison, John and Catherine Morrison. Mavericks: The Lives and Battles of Montana's Political Legends (Helena, 2003) also available online.

Olive Tardiff, “Ella Louise Knowles Haskell (1860-1911),” Seacoast Women  

Progressive Men of the State of Montana, “Mrs. Ella Knowles Haskell,” 472-474

"Ella Knowles: Portia of the People," Women's History Matters website 

Vertical Files at the Montana Historical Society

Ella Knowles Haskell