Pearl M. Hart

Pearl M. HartChicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame
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Pearl M. Hart

Inducted 1992 [Posthumous]

She spent her entire legal career of 61 years defending the civil rights of all persons.

Pearl M. Hart was born in Traverse City, Michigan, in April 1890, the fifth daughter and only American born child of David and Rebecca Harchovsky.
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Pearl Hart was a founding member and board member of the national Lawyers Guild, the Committee to Defend the Foreign-Born, and the Portes Cancer Prevention Clinic.She served, with distinction, as a defender of the oppressed, through the red-baiting periods which followed both world wars, the McCarthy era and the hearings of the U.S. House of Representatives Un-American Activities Committee.She served without fee in many good cases, including the adoption services of the Episcopal Archdiocese of Chicago.

She was the first women lawyer to be appointed as public defender in the Morals Court, and maintained an acquittal record of over 90%.A consistent feminist, she and her two associates made their libraries, advice and quiet study room available to women law students.

All her life, Pearl Hart defended gay rights, appearing on behalf of many victims of entrapment and harassment, often without fee or for minimal fee.She worked for anti-entrapment laws and the right to privacy.She was involved in the founding and work of the present Mattachine organization as well as its predecessor.

Two of Pearl Hart's dreams never came true: to be elected to the City Council of Chicago and to appointed as a judge.She was too liberal and too honest to win the backing of a corrupt political system.Her campaign for the City Council seat was conducted by Studs Terkel, a long-time friend and fellow fighter for social justice.

Although in failing health, Pearl Hart worked until a few weeks before her death in March, 1975.She left a minimal estate after sixty years of unremitting work.Her inheritance is the love and respect of thousands of men and women whom she helped, and a society somewhat better for her efforts- which is what she wanted.
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Pearl M. Hart

Inducted 1992 [Posthumous]

She spent her entire legal career of 61 years defending the civil rights of all persons. [More about Pearl M. Hart]

Pearl Hart

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The ceremony honoring Pearl Hart and other honorees as recipients of a Chicago Tribute Marker of Distinction has been set for Sunday, Nov. 3.It will take place at Maxim's/The Nancy Goldberg International Center, 24 East Goethe Street, from 1 to 3 p.m.Those wishing to attend should make a reservation by calling the city's hotline for the event at (312) 744-2032.

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Relatives of lesbian attorney Pearl Hart will be travelling to Chicago from across the country for this special event.Pearl Hart enjoyed a six-decade legal career beginning in 1914.Her practice focused on representing children, women, immigrants and gay men and lesbians.She is being honored for her tireless work as an advocate for these groups, and for her role as a civic leader in 20th Century Chicago.Hart founded numerous organizations, taught criminal law for a quarter-century at John Marshall Law School, her alma mater, and ran for public office.

The Tribute Marker for Hart will be erected in front of her residence of more than 25 years.The marker features a brief biography and photograph of Hart.Hart was honored previously by the city with her induction as a 1992 member of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.Gerber/Hart Library, named in her honor, nominated her for a Tribute Marker last year.