“Breaking through Barriers: Leading for Tomorrow” – Chief Justice Ruth McGregor (retired) Shares Her Leadership Experiences at AAUW Fall Forum

Scottsdale, AZ (October 26, 2009) – On Saturday, November 7, 2009, Chief Justice Ruth McGregor will serve as the keynote speaker at the AAUW’s Fall Forum, held in the Turquoise room at Scottsdale Community College, 9000 E. Chaparral Rd., Scottsdale.  Justice McGregor’s keynote speech is titled:  Diversity in the Courts.

The meeting will begin at 8AM.  Justice McGregor’s address is scheduled to run from 9:30-10:15AM.

Chief Justice Macgregor served on the Arizona Supreme Court from February 1998 until June 30, 2009.  She was the Court’s Chief Justice from June 2005 until her retirement.  She was also a member of the Arizona Court of Appeals from 1989 until 1998, where she served as Chief Judge from 1995 to 1997.  Before her appointment to the bench, Justice McGregor engaged in the private practice of law as a member of the Fennemore Craig law firm in Phoenix, Arizona. She also served as law clerk to Justice Sandra Day O’Connor during Justice O’Connor’s first term on the United States Supreme Court.

Justice McGregor was recently awarded the Sandra Day O’Conner Marilyn R. Seymann Award (10/12/2009) by the Arizona Foundation for Women. Justice McGregor shared the stage with Madeline Albright who was awarded the Sandra Day O’Conner Lifetime Achievement Award at the same time.

Justice McGregor received a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, summa cum laude, from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and a Master of Laws in the Judicial Process from the University of Virginia.       

Justice McGregor has participated extensively in professional activities, particularly those involving legal education and the discipline of lawyers and judges. Among other activities, she has served as an officer and a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Inns of Court Foundation, as an officer and Board member for the National Association of Women Judges, as a board member of the Conference of Chief Justices, and on the Legal Council of the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar, which is the accrediting body for American law schools.

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Scottsdale Community College offers over 1,500 academic and non-credit classes each semester. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the campus is known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful plant and wildlife. With nearly 12,000 students, Scottsdale Community College is proud to offer high-quality, affordable programs in small class settings. From Motion Picture/Television Production and Culinary Arts to Nursing and American Indian Studies, students have a wide variety of programs from which to earn credits for university transfer, launch their careers, train for new ones, or pursue a special interest. The SCC Business Institute offers customized programs to meet the needs of local business. Scottsdale Community College is one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges.

To learn about the many academic programs at Scottsdale Community College, call us at (480) 423-6000 or visit our website at www.scottsdalecc.edu.

AAUW, with its nationwide network of more than 100,000 members, 1,300 branches, and 500 college and university partners, has been a leading advocate for equity and education for women and girls for over 125 years. Founded in the U. S. in 1881 and known until recently as the American Association of University Women, AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. The Scottsdale Branch has more than 160 members from Scottsdale and adjoining communities and is proudly celebrating its 47th year. It actively supports the AAUW mission through educational events for members and the public and through its special interest groups.  More information about the organization and membership can be found on its websites, www.aauw.org and www.aauwscottsdale.org.

Media contact:
Denise Kronsteiner
(480) 423-6567
denise.kronsteiner@sccmail.maricopa.edu

Event contact:

Jane Adrian

(480)275-4040

jadrian@cox.net

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