Helen Hulick went to jail in 1938 for wearing pants. Although it may sound ludicrous, it’s a true story.

Hulick was a 28-year-old kindergarten teacher at the time. She went to a California courtroom on Nov. 9, 1938, to testify against two men who had burglarized her home. But rather than find justice, she found a judge who disapproved of her wardrobe.

After refusing Judge Arthur S. Guerin’s orders to show up the next day to court in a dress, the judge found her in contempt—and ordered her to jail for 5 days. Hulick bravely stood up to the judge and societal norms about dressing at the time.

Helen Hulick defies orders

After Judge Guerin noticed Hulick wearing slacks instead of a dress, he was not pleased and postponed her hearing until the following day. According to The Los Angeles Times, Hulick reportedly said to her attorney William Katz, “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.”

The next day, Hulick defiantly showed up in pants. And Judge Guerin immediately took notice that she was once again not in “garb acceptable to courtroom procedure”. He reprimanded her, saying:

“Today you........

© Upworthy