Bradwell v. State, 16 Wall. (83 U.S.) 130 (1873)

Justice Bradley writing:

"...it certainly cannot be affirmed, as an historical fact [that] it is one of the privileges and immunities of women as citizens to engage in any and every profession, occupation, or employment in civil life. [Man] is, or should be, woman's protector and defender. The natural and proper timidity and delicacy which belongs to the female sex evidently unfits it for many of the occupations of civil life. The constitution of family organization, which is founded in the divine ordinance, as well as in the nature of things, indicates the domestic sphere as that which properly belongs to the domain and functions of womanhood. [The] paramount destiny and mission of woman are to fulfill the noble and benign offices of wife and mother. This is the law of the Creator."

This was the opinion in a case where Myra Bradwell petitioned the Court to hold that the 14th Amendment included her right to practice law.

Barf.