University of Virginia Library

Bleak History

He first discussed the history of
women's rights-"It's bleak-its just
that simple." There was a period in
the development of Anglo Saxon
Law when married women had
equal rights with men. This,
however, was quelled by its
replacement by English Common
Law which made a wife subservient
to her husband.

Professor Whitebread then
devoted his time to the impact that
marriage has on a woman's name,
domicile, and employment
opportunities.

Basically a married woman finds
it almost impossible to keep her
maiden name if her husband won't
let her. Even when the husband
wins a divorce case, his former wife,
as an "extra-punishment" has to
"bear his lousy name." Prof.
Whitebread said that this needed to
be changed.