This is Helen Hulick, a burglary witness, who caused a stir in a downtown LA courtroom by wearing slacks in 1938.…
Hulick was quoted in the LA Times saying, “You tell the judge I will stand on my rights. If he orders me to change into a dress I won’t do it. I like slacks. They’re comfortable.”
by EaterofGrief
16 Comments
She returned to court 5 days later—in slacks, which really infuriated the judge. He responded:
“The last time you were in this court dressed as you are now and reclining on your neck on the back of your chair, you drew more attention from spectators, prisoners and court attaches than the legal business at hand. You were requested to return in garb acceptable to courtroom procedure.
Today you come back dressed in pants and openly defying the court and its duties to conduct judicial proceedings in an orderly manner. It’s time a decision was reached on this matter and on the power the court has to maintain what it considers orderly conduct.
The court hereby orders and directs you to return tomorrow in accepted dress. If you insist on wearing slacks again you will be prevented from testifying because that would hinder the administration of justice. But be prepared to be punished according to law for contempt of court.”
She fired back: “Listen, I’ve worn slacks since I was 15. I don’t own a dress except a formal. If he wants me to appear in a formal gown that’s okay with me. I’ll come back in slacks and if he puts me in jail I hope it will help to free women forever of anti-slackism.”
The next day, Hulick showed up in slacks and the judge held her in contempt. She was sent to jail with a 5 day sentence.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear slacks.
She was on point!
Brazen hussy! (Probably what my Grandma would have said.)
Of all of the forms of sexism there are, the pants thing is one of the most petty and idiotic. From a genre defined by petty idiocy. I hope that judge enjoys how warm it is in the afterlife.
Got that Dafoe Face going.
Must’ve been cold in there
Its insane that this is less than 100 years ago.
Please mark this as NSFW. I can clearly see that this woman has two legs.
Ever notice that the judges names and anyone in power are kept anonymous in these circumstances?
For instance, lots of people know about the affluence killer, Ethan Couch. Piece of shit. But, nobody ever knows the name of the judge who set him free. Tarrant County (Texas) District Judge Jean Boyd.
Fuck her, and all these shitty judicial figures.
I feel like we don’t use the word “slacks” as much as we used to. We should bring it back.
Legend
What a fucking badass!! In my mind, the following happened; after 5 days behind bars she gets out, and outside a woman is waiting for her, leaning against her Rolls. She calls her name in that famous raspy voice; well Miss Hulick I read about your case, and came to take you to lunch, as she flicks a cigarette away. And of course it’s the fellow famous “slack” wearer herself; Katharine Hepburn! They go for lunch at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where they smoke, drink Martinis and laugh at the idiocy of men!!
The original slacktivist.
There’s gotta be some law about those eyebrows.
Badass. Shame they still don’t have decent pockets on their trousers to this day though. One battle at a time though.