Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood was a United States attorney, politician, author, and noted feminist, although she never used that word. Lockwood overcame many social and personal obstacles related to gender restrictions of her time, to gain a good education and have a professional career. After college, she became a teacher and also worked for action on equal pay for women teachers. Later Lockwood was active in progressive organizations, became one of the first lawyers in the US, successfully petitioned Congress to be able to practice in federal court, and ran for president on the National Equal Rights Party ticket in 1884 and 1888.