girl, Dolly, wearing a black robe and holding what looked like a law book in her hand and saying to her brothers, and I quote,“ Let’ s play Supreme Court. You be the old guys, and I’ ll be Sandra Day O’ Connor.” Finally, Dolly could see herself in that role.
Women have been eligible to serve on this Court since 1920 when women gained the full right to vote, and it took us until now to have a [ female ] chief justice – from 1920 to 2026. That’ s a long time. I hope in the future it won’ t be a novel event. Even now, we have not yet had a female majority on this Court, and only one of three district court judges are women. I hope for more. Don’ t get me wrong, I never want a woman to be chosen to serve in any position just because she is a woman. But I hope seeing a woman in this position will encourage other qualified women to be willing to serve as a judge or a justice.
As you’ ve already heard, Justice Crothers will be stepping away from the Court at the end of February. Thank you, Justice Crothers, for your service on this Court. You and your 20 plus years of experience will be sorely missed. But I am heartened by the long list of candidates made up of highly qualified women and men who are eager to take his spot. The Judicial Nominating Committee should have a difficult task to narrow the pool for Gov. Armstrong. But I am certain he’ ll be able to find a qualified candidate.
Looking back, women have not always had the support that I’ ve had. I’ m grateful. In 1911, there was a case at this Court involving two women who were vying for county superintendent of public schools. In those days,
women had a limited right to vote for issues related to schools. The woman who lost the election contested it on the basis that the women who voted did not register, so their votes should not be counted. The trial court held in favor of the winner, as the law did not require women to register, because the registry law only required men to register. The North Dakota Supreme Court held while women could vote for school officers, it did not make them electors under the law but placed them in a separate class of citizens entitled only to vote on certain questions. The Court affirmed on this basis and could have stopped there. But the male justices back then could not seem to contain themselves, going on in dicta, and I quote:“ Our conclusion is supported by other considerations. The main qualification for holding office in this state is that the person be a qualified elector. If this term is applicable to women, they are entitled to hold the office of State Senator, member of the House of Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, judge of the Supreme Court, and various other offices.” What would those justices say today? Every one of those offices mentioned but one has been held by a woman, and now one office in addition to that. Women could not have come this far without the help and acceptance of our male colleagues.
As I begin my new role, I hope to be judged not on my gender but on how I do the job. I am humbled and honored to serve as your Chief Justice. So thank you. Thank you for coming today. Thank you for supporting me and the court in general. And on behalf of the Supreme Court, I thank you for taking the time from your busy schedules to come today … With that being said, the Court is adjourned.
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IT ' S YOUR IVIEIVIBERSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAIVI WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT
Since January 2008, SBANO has offered a member assistance program for its members and their families. More information on the program is available at the SBANO website, http:// www. sband. org.
PERSONAL PROBLEMS: The MAP Program offers counseling services to SBANO members and their families for personal problems such as marriage and other family concerns. The focus is not on who is at fault, but how to reach a solution. Most people get the help they need in the eight sessions a year that are provided at no cost.
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The SBANO Member Assistance Program offers confidential, professional counseling services in locations across the state of North Dakota for a variety of concerns, emotional crisis, financial and family difficulties, substance abuse evaluations and workrelated problems. Members and their families are entitled to receive up to eight counseling sessions per identified problem area at no charge for each calendar year.
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