You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Pro-choice 'Roe' attorney to kick-off Women's History Month tonight

By Le Ann Finger '85
March 9, 2005

St. Olaf will celebrate Women's History Month in March with the theme "Women in Politics." The kick-off event will feature guest speaker Sarah Weddington, the nationally known attorney who, in 1973, argued the winning side of the landmark Roe vs. Wade case before the United States Supreme Court. Weddington will speak on Wednesday, March 9, at 7 p.m. in the Lion?s Pause in Buntrock Commons. A reception will follow in the adjacent Crossroads Lounge. The event is sponsored by the college political activities committee and is free and open to the public.

Weddington is well known for her work on issues affecting women through her many roles as attorney, legislator, presidential adviser and professor. She has been a longtime advocate for women and speaks often on leadership and public issues.

Weddington earned national attention in 1973, at age 26, when she argued the Roe vs. Wade case to legalize abortion. She is thought to be the youngest woman ever to win a case in the Supreme Court. Weddington is the author of the best-seller, A Question of Choice, which details the landmark Roe vs. Wade case.

A woman with many "firsts" on her resume, Weddington was the first woman from Austin elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1972. She served three terms before becoming the General Counsel to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1977, the first woman ever to hold that position.

From 1978 to 1981, Weddington served as Assistant to the President of the United States. She was designated by President Jimmy Carter to direct the Administration's work on women's issues and leadership outreach. She also directed White House efforts to extend the time for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and to assist in the selection of women for federal judiciary appointments.

Weddington has received numerous honors and awards. In 2000, Texas Lawyer named her "One of the Most Influential Lawyers of the 20th Century," and the Houston Chronicle named her as one of "The Tallest Texans - Those who left their mark on Texas and the rest of the world in the 20th Century."

Weddington received her J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1967 and is a Distinguished Alumna of McMurry University. She holds honorary doctorates from McMurry University, Hamilton College, Austin College, Southwestern University and Nova Southeastern University.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3416 or finger@stolaf.edu.