SARAH WEDDINGTON
Sarah Weddington is a nationally-known attorney and spokesperson on leadership and public issues. She is particularly well known for her work on issues affecting women through her many roles as attorney, legislator, presidential advisor, professor, and expert called upon by the national media.
In 1973, at age 26, she argued the winning side of the landmark case Roe v. Wade, to make abortion legal, before the United States Supreme Court. She is thought to be the youngest woman ever to win a case in the Supreme Court.
Weddington has been a long-time advocate for women. In 1972, she was the first woman from Austin elected to the Texas House of Representatives. She served three terms before becoming the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s General Counsel in 1977, the first woman to ever hold that position.
From 1978 to 1981, Weddington served as Assistant to the President of the United States. She was designated by President 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 ERA and to assist in the selection of women for federal judiciary appointments.
Weddington is the author of the best-seller, A Question of Choice, which details the Roe v. Wade case.
Weddington has received numerous honors and awards. In 2000, Texas Lawyer named her as "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 holds honorary doctorates from McMurry University, Hamilton College, Austin College, Southwestern University, and Nova Southeastern University. She received her J.D. degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1967 and is a Distinguished Alumna of McMurry University.