Justice O’Connor Hosts Girls Conference Participants

Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Maureen O’Connor spoke with 50 girls in grades seven through 10 April 17 at the Ohio Judicial Center as part of their involvement in this year’s Shirley Chisholm Conference for Girls in Government.

“Anytime I can discuss with students the operation of the Court and at the same time encourage public service, I am more than happy to do so,” said Justice O’Connor. “Students should realize that they too have a lot to offer now and can aspire to public service on many levels when they grow up. Students have the best questions about the Court and I thoroughly enjoy time spent with them.”

Sponsored by the Columbus Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the conference aims to introduce girls to women leaders in government and to inspire them to pursue a life of public service and a commitment to community involvement. In addition to meeting and speaking with Justice O’Connor, participants also will receive a tour of the Supreme Court and sit in on a judicial panel featuring Judge Kim Browne, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Domestic Division; Judge Beverly Pfeiffer, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – General Division; and Judge Peggy Bryant, 10th District Court of Appeals.

Justice O’Connor was elected in 2002 as the 148^th Justice on the Supreme Court of Ohio and the seventh woman to serve on the Court. She has experience as a practicing attorney, magistrate, common pleas judge, and prosecuting attorney. In 1998, she was elected as lieutenant governor and was the governor's chief advisor on criminal justice issues, serving as director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and as chair of Ohio’s Security Task Force and the State Building Security Review Committee.