Throwback Thursday: Breaking barriers, the story of attorney Flora Templeton Stuart

For over 50 years, a Bowling Green woman has been breaking barriers in a male-dominated workplace while serving the community. A 1977 Bowling Green Daily News article inspired this story of sharing the inspiration and struggles of women in law and order over the past five decades. Still practicing law in Bowling Green, Flora Templeton Stuart’s story shows what a difference an open mind and helping hand can make.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Stuart was raised with deep southern roots. According to the Bowling Green Daily News, she learned more about racial discrimination and civil rights when her family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. At that time, African Americans weren’t allowed to vote or own land in her home state of Louisiana. Stuart became active in political and civil rights groups to learn more about making a difference and advocating for change.

Stuart’s mother’s side of the family lived in Bowling Green, and she graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in education. She went on to attend Salmon P. Chase law school in northern Kentucky, where she was one of six founding members of the Women Lawyers Club at Northern Kentucky University. When she returned to Bowling Green to practice law, she was one of just two female attorneys in the city and the only female practicing trial law.

Within her first two years of practice, one of her cases was so high-profile and groundbreaking that it made it to Time magazine and the Washington Post. The Marla Pitchford abortion case was tragic and morbid, and it was compared to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter. Look up the knitting needle abortion case for the details.

But Stuart’s community service does not stop at advocating for clients. She is also an avid community servant with local nonprofits and volunteer organizations. Stuart has served in many capacities in local events or charities that provide help or assistance to children and those in need, or those that build accessible, affordable programs for community events. From Kiwanis Club activities for kids and families like the annual All-American Soap Box Derby and Thunderfest, to sponsorships of events like Concerts in the Park or Duncan Hines Days, to the creation of local mascots that bring positive programs to schools, to assisting nonprofits like Toys for Tots or Stuff the Bus, and so much more – Flora Templeton Stuart’s genuine love and appreciation for the Bowling Green and southern Kentucky community shines brightly.

Thanks to her efforts during a time when equality in the workforce was not guaranteed, Stuart was a trailblazer for women working in the legal system. As the first female trial lawyer in Bowling Green, she opened doors for today’s women.