Harvard Law celebrates first Filipina alumna Erlinda Arce Ignacio Espiritu

Erlinda Arce Ignacio Espiritu is recognized as the first Filipina to earn a degree from Harvard Law School (HLS) in 1951.

HLS celebrated Espiritu's legacy during Women's Month, highlighting her academic achievements and post-graduation life.

Inspired by the Knights of the Round Table to defend the defenseless, Espiritu aspired to challenge traditional roles for women.

She persevered in her studies despite growing up during the 1930s and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in the 1940s.

Espiritu graduated from Manuel L. Quezon School of Law in Manila and became one of the first Filipina lawyers in 1947.

Espiritu's father wanted her to study abroad, and she specifically requested HLS, even though it did not accept female students at the time.

The Harvard Corporation later reversed its policy to allow women to apply to the law school.

Although she found adapting to the case method and American speech difficult at Harvard, she credited her professors with teaching her how to think.