Margaret Brent stands out early in American history for her boldness and self-determination. She never married, but that didn't stop her from thriving in a world ruled by men. Instead, she became a successful businesswoman, dealing in lands and easements, and earned the respect of Governor Leonard Calvert, who entrusted her with management of his estate upon his death. (Witkowski) While these accomplishments were unusual and significant, Margaret is best known for being the first woman in America to demand the right to vote. According to Lois Green Carrborn, the leading social and economic historian of the colonial Chesapeake, Margaret was born around 1601 and ended up being one of thirteen Catholic children born in Gloucester, England, to Richard and Elizabeth Brent. Not much is known about his life until he immigrated to Maryland in 1638, so he could practice their religion without penalty, with his brother Giles and his sister. (Witkowski) It takes strong women to uproot his life with the possibility that he could have a better one, free from persecution. As relatives of Earl Baltimore, the proprietary lord of colonial Maryland, they were granted the same generous amount of land as the original Maryland settlers. (White) Margaret soon became good at business, profiting by lending money to new immigrants, importing and selling servants. and represent yourself in court to collect debts. The only way a woman in this period could own and manage land was if she was unmarried. Margret is known for not marrying allowing her to be an independent woman. However, what distinguishes Margaret most is that she was the first woman to demand the right to vote in the Maryland Assembly. When the Civil War broke out…center of paper…internationally recognized as the preeminent social and economic historian of the colonial Chesapeake. She has made an indelible contribution to the State of Maryland in her professional and personal calling as Maryland's eminent Chesapeake historian.WHITE, PAMELA J. "Margaret Brent: Maryland's First Woman Lawyer." University of Maryland Legal Journal of Race, Religion, Gender, and Class 7.1 (2007): 11-13. Academic research completed. Network. April 30, 2014.Pamela J. White is an associate judge of the Eighth District Court in Baltimore City, Maryland. He has been a judge of the court since February 8, 2007, and his current term expires in 2023. Witkowski, Monica C. "Margaret Brent (ca. 1601- 1671)." Virginia Encyclopedia. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, January 29, 2013. Web. Apr. 30. 201Monica C. Witkowski is an independent scholar from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.