March Spotlight: Women's History Month

Congress designated March to be Women's History Month in 1987, a designation which has been followed by official Presidential Proclamation every year since. This is a time to recognize that women have made significant contributions to our society. As President Carter noted in 1980 when first recognizing Women's History week, "the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well."

Pepperdine Caruso Law takes this time to celebrate the many women who have left an indelible mark on the law. From Arabella Mansfield in 1869 who was the first woman admitted to legal practice in the United States to Sandra Day O'Connor in 1981, the first woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, and all of the powerful women who have come since, women have been leaders for justice.

We are proud to recognize an amazing alumna who exemplified all the good that women bring to the law, the Honorable Beverly Reid O'Connell (JD '90). Judge O'Connell was a giant in the Los Angeles legal community, having worked at the US Attorney Office until appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2005. She was later appointed to the federal court and served as a District Court Judge for the Central District of California from 2013 until her tragic passing in 2017.

Judge O'Connell was fiercely dedicated to supporting women in the legal profession, working closely with the Women's Legal Association of Los Angeles and California Women Lawyers and always serving as a mentor for up and coming women lawyers.

May we reach out to every woman in the legal profession as Judge O'Connell did - asking: what can I do to help you.