Sandra Day O'Connor
Thank you, Audrey, Kelly, for your wonderful presentations today. And what a delight it is for me to be here when you receive the Sandra Day O'Connor award that you participated and establishing 10 years ago. It's great and to be
and to be present. When so many of the previous Sandra Day O'Connor award winners could be here. And what a wonderful group have been selected. The Philadelphia Bar Association has been particularly kind to the female division of the United States Supreme Court.
I'm truly delighted that you've established now an annual justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg legal writing award, it is exceedingly appropriate because Justice Ginsburg rights with a very, and I careful and no one among us doesn't matter. So it's a real special treat to be here today with Justice Ginsburg, as that effort is launched. And on hand, usually at your special events in Philadelphia is judge Norma Schapiro over here at the table today, whose career here in Philadelphia has spanned more than five remarkable decades. She has said that one of her favorite quotations is from the ancient Roman official Gaius who poignantly noted that one who helps the wandering traveler does as it were, light another's lamp by their own, and it gives no less light because it helped another. And as the first woman appointed to the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, her live show in dark corners where women never before had traveled. And she has led her light to countless others along the way. And as Justice Ginsburg has chronicled so beautifully today, this has been a time when the whole world has been reminded of the difference that a woman's voice or a lamp life, if you wish, can make, indeed the voice in light of a former woman judge from Iran. The news of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Sharon a body a human rights lawyer in Iran, has sparked very positive responses in many parts of the world. She was the first one woman judge to serve in Iran. In her response to the news of her selection, Meza body said the prize belong to all those working for peaceful change, that there is no contradiction between Islam and human rights. I think all of us, as women, as lawyers, as judges, can applaud this selection and can join me as a body and hoping that the award to her will make recognition of women's and children's rights in her country and elsewhere, more of a reality in the future. Now,
in less than a century, we've gone from a nation in which it was deemed unseemly to grant women even the right to vote to one in which women outnumber men as eligible voters in national elections. And half that time we've gone from a nation where women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Norma Shapiro, and I graduated with excellent law school grades, only two receive job offers as librarians and secretaries to one which Justice Ginsburg so aptly described today. And we're learning that real change the story that is reflected in individuals spirit and initiative, as much as in national statistics comes about because people like Justice Ginsburg and judge Schapiro care enough to share their flames with those whose lamps are dim. Justice Ginsburg and I are working women. And I am going to
I'm going to cut short remarks because frankly, both of us have to get back to work today, down in Washington, DC. And we understand there's a train coming into the station. That will take us there at two o'clock, but only if we leave you now. And we don't want to do that because there's more of it could be sad. But let me assure you that today has been a remarkable event. It's so wonderfully attended with so many outstanding people. We are so honored to be here and to be your honored guests and to see others honored today as well. It's been a wonderful occasion. And heartfelt thanks to all of you for this truly special event. Goodbye.