WESTROPP, LILLIAN MARY (9 May 1884-15 Aug. 1968), Cleveland Municipal Court judge and cofounder of WOMEN'S FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK, was born in Cleveland to Thos. P. and Clara Stoeckel Westropp, graduated from West High School and Dyke School of Commerce, and after a brief theatrical career enrolled in BALDWIN-WALLACE COLLEGE's law school, graduating in 1915 with a LL.B. Entering private practice, emphasizing real estate and finance, Westropp was one of the first women admitted to the CLEVELAND BAR ASSN. (CBA) and the first woman elected to its executive committee. In 1929 she became assistant county prosecutor, instituting a bail-bond system insuring 100% collection. In 1931 she was appointed to fill a municipal judgeship; she was continually reelected until she retired in 1957. During her tenure, she initiated a court psychiatric clinic in 1937.
With her sister, CLARA E. WESTROPP†, Westropp organized Women's Federal Savings & Loan Assoc. of Cleveland, serving as president from 1936-57 and as chairman of the board of directors until her death. Her objective was to give women confidence in their own financial ability and prove they could succeed. Westropp was an active Democrat, organizing Democratic Women, State of Ohio (1920), and chosen a member of the executive committee of the CUYAHOGA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY (1923). She was an organizer of the Women Lawyers' Club of Cleveland; WOMEN'S CITY CLUB; LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS (LWV) OF CLEVELAND; Catholic Daughters of America; Cleveland Diocesan Council of Catholic Women; BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUB OF GREATER CLEVELAND (BPW) and Woman's Hospital. She was unmarried.
Last Modified: 23 Jul 1997 01:27:42 PM- Related Article(s)