Phillips, Lena Madesin, 1881-1955

Lawyer, editor, and music teacher, Phillips studied at Goucher College, the Peabody Conservatory of Music, and N.Y.U., where she received her LL.B. in 1923. In 1930 she founded the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (president, 1930-1947) in New York. Phillips was also an organizer of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (president, 1926-1929), and officer of or consultant to many other civic organizations.

Born 1881, Nicholasville, Kentucky; daughter of William Henry and Alice (Shook) Phillips; graduated from Jessamine Institute, Nicholasville, 1899; student at Goucher College, 1899-1900 and 1901-1902; Peabody Conservatory of Music, 1901-1903; LL.B., NYU 1923. Teacher of music, organizer and director of music school, Nicholasville until 1916; admitted to Kentucky bar 1917, New Jersey bar, U.S. District Court (N.J.) 1922, New York bar 1924; secretary of national board, Y.W.C.A., NYC 1918-1919; executive secretary, 1919-1922; N.F.B.P.W.Clubs, president, 1926-1929, honorary president until 1955; founder I.F.B.P.W. and president 1930-1947, founder-president until 1955; practiced law NYC, 1924-1935; associate editor, Pictorial Review, 1935-1939; President, National Council of Women, 1931-1935, honorary president until 1955; Vice President, National Kindergarten Association; Vice President, International Council of Women, 1938-1947; consulting member, Consumers' Advisory Board under NRA. Member, Federal Council of Churches (Advisory Committee on a Just and Durable Peace). Sent by the Office of War Information on a special mission to Sweden, 1943-1944. Member: ABA; NY League of Business and Professional Women (honorary president); Southern Women's Educational Alliance, Kentucky Society; Consumer's Cooperative Association; Saturday's Children of NYC; Soroptimist Club; Chi Omega; Phi Delta Delta; Order of the Coif. Died, 1955, Marseilles, France.