17c Belva Ann Lockwood stamp

A 17-cent regular stamp depicting pioneer women's rights activist and attorney Belva Ann Lockwood, first woman candidate for president and first woman admitted to practice before the Supreme Court, issued on June 18, 1986, in Middleport, New York.

Belva Ann Lockwood was literally 100 years ahead of her time in overcoming enormous personal and social obstacles to obtain an education, teach school, practice law, and run for president on a platform that included many political concerns still valid today.

Called sprightly, aggressive, and energetic, she used her education, superior talents and fighting spirit to topple a variety of barriers. As an attorney, she forced passage of such laws as one requiring equal pay for women employees of the federal government; she handled more than 7,000 pension cases; and she won a $5 million settlement for Cherokee Indians vs. the government. "I am very simpleminded," she once said. "When I wish to do a thing I only know one way, to keep at it until I get it."

The Lockwood stamp was designed by Christopher Calle of Stamford, Connecticut, and modeled by Frank J. Waslick. Calle previously designed stamps for the Great American Series, which included Harry Truman, Chester Nimitz, John J. Audubon and Hugo Black.

The stamp replaced the 17-cent Rachel Carson stamp and became the thirtieth stamp in the Great American Series. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing engraved the stamps through the intaglio process.

Reference: Postal Bulletin, June 18, 1986

Scott Catalogue USA: 2178
mint; previously Scott 2179 (1993 edition)

Copyright United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.

Museum ID: 1988.0130.7265