Her Honor: Rosalie Wahl and the Women’s Movement –  by Lori Sturdevant

While there is no single hero of the Minnesota women’s movement, Rosalie Wahl, the first woman on the Minnesota Supreme Court, changed the way her fellow judges saw the cases they decided. A champion of both women’s rights and civil rights, she brought new attention to the problems that faced women impoverished by divorce, women abused by their partners, and others who coped with poverty and discrimination. With sharp intelligence and hard work, Wahl herself had overcome childhood tragedy and a difficult marriage to become a defense attorney, a respected judge, and a mentor to many.

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About The Book About the Author Book Review PBS Movie Trailer Author Video Wahl Info State Law Library

Discussion Questions:

1. What obstacles did Wahl face as a woman in a male-dominated field, and how did she overcome them?
2. How did her background and early career influence her perspective on the law?
3.  How did Rosalie Wahl mentor other women in the legal profession, and why was this mentorship significant?
4. Rosalie Wahl was known for her progressive approach to social justice issues. How did she incorporate these values into her decisions?
5. How did Rosalie Wahl balance her personal life with her demanding legal career, and what can we learn from her experience?
6. What role did Rosalie Wahl play in shaping the state’s legal landscape, and how does her legacy extend beyond Minnesota?