“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
-Ruth Bader Ginsburg
To become a judge, a person must attend law school and earn a Juris Doctor law degree. Only after passing the bar exam (brutal) and spending years building a legal career can a person become a judge, assuming they possess the litany of skills needed to succeed in the role.
Notice how none of the qualifications of a judge mention anything about gender.
Many of the most notable judges are women, and today we’re going to give them their time in the spotlight. We’ll focus mainly on women on the Supreme Court, but we threw in a couple of surprise entries to keep things interesting.
- Ruth Bader Ginsberg
As a law student, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and her female classmates were often discriminated against and excluded from sections of the library. Not that that stopped her from graduating at the top of her class.
Still, finding work was nearly impossible. “In the fifties, the traditional law firms were just beginning to turn around on hiring Jews. … But to be a woman, a Jew, and a mother to boot, that combination was a bit much,” said Ginsberg. Nevertheless, she persisted, becoming the second woman and the first Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court after her confirmation on August 3, 1993.
Ginsberg’s tenure as a Supreme Court justice was legendary. “The notorious R.B.G,” as she was affectionately called, was an unwavering advocate for gender equality and women’s rights until her death on September 18, 2020.
Shoutout to Belva Lockwood: One of the First Female Lawyers
After her husband’s premature death, Belva Lockwood graduated from law school—only receiving her diploma after appealing to President Ulysses S. Grant—and moved to Washington D.C. to become an attorney: something thought impossible for a woman in the 19th century. When she applied for admission to the Supreme Court Bar in 1876, the motion was denied. “None but men are admitted to practice before [the Court] as attorneys and counsellors,” announced Chief Justice R. Waite. In November 1880, Lockwood became the first woman to argue before the Supreme Court, paving the way for Ruth Bader Ginsberg and other women on the Supreme Court.
- Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor became the third woman, and first Latina, to serve on the Supreme Court after she was confirmed on August 9, 2009. Sotomayor grew up in the Bronxdale Houses, a South Bronx housing project. As a child, she loved reading Nancy Drew mysteries, and she was inspired by the adventurous sleuth to follow a path of learning, ultimately leading to a career in law.
Sotomayor had over three decades of experience at almost every level of the judicial system before sitting on the Court. Hailed as “one of the ablest federal judges currently sitting,” Sotomayor has ruled to uphold the Affordable Care Act and ruled to legalize same-sex marriage.
- Ketanji Brown Jackson
Ketanji Brown Jackson spent much of her childhood listening her father read legal cases as he studied for law school. She was inspired to follow in his footsteps, but her journey was not without its challenges. Sharing her plans to attend Harvard with her high school guidance counselor, she was advised not to set her “sights so high.”
Jackson graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and cum laude from Harvard Law School. Her law career spans over two decades, and while serving on the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, she issued over 500 opinions on cases. On June 30, 2022, Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming the first Black woman to sit on the Court.
- Jennifer Dorow
Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow stepped into the national spotlight when, in 2022, she presided over the high-profile trial of Darrel Brooks Jr., who was convicted for killing six people during the Waukesha Christmas parade. Throughout the trial, Dorow received fan mail, even a telegram, praising her for her expertise and calm demeanor.
Dorow ran for the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023. She lost, but when asked about legislating from the bench, she gave this insightful answer: “It’s the role of a judge to apply the law as written to the facts of the cases that come before us, to never prejudge those cases, to be fair and impartial and in our government.”
- Susan Kiefel
Judges play a crucial role in the criminal justice system, both here in the U.S. and abroad. Susan Kiefel, Australia’s first female High Court chief justice, recently retired after 16 years. Australian Women Lawyers President Astrid Haban-Beer said that Kiefel “presided over tough times at the court” and did so “masterfully.” While many of her male contemporaries received a private education, Kiefel studied law part time while working as a legal secretary. Kiefel would simply say she did the best she could. Still, she’s happy that her journey can inspire others to pursue a law career.
Carry the Torch
We hope you enjoyed reading about these trailblazing women on the Supreme Court and other notable female judges, each of whom has stood at the forefront of pivotal legal decisions, championed human rights, and demonstrated the unwavering strength required to navigate the complex terrain of the judiciary.
If you aspire to make a lasting impact in the field of political science, consider pursuing a degree in the field. The University of Texas Permian offers an entirely online program for those interested in a career in political science:
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Designed to empower the next generation of legal professionals, our program will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to serve communities, influence policy, and navigate the complexities of the political system.
Add to the legacy of empowered women shaping the future of the legal landscape. Apply to UT Permian Basin.
Sources:
https://americanwritersmuseum.org/ruth-bader-ginsburg-quotes/
https://guides.loc.gov/american-women-manuscript/legal-collections/women-justices-judges-and-attorneys
https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/waukesha/2022/11/01/fans-sent-judge-jennifer-dorow-letters-gifts-during-waukesha-parade-trial/69607882007/