Lawyer, Lecturer, and Women’s Rights Advocate

Sarah Weddington is an American lawyer and lecturer who rose to international fame for representing Jane Roe in the landmark Roe v. Wade case in the United States Supreme Court. Thought to be the youngest person to ever win a case in the Supreme Court, Weddington was only 26 years old when she concluded one of the most controversial cases on women’s reproductive rights.

After gaining prominence in Roe v. Wade, she launched a successful career in public service. In 1972, she ran for office and won a seat at the Texas House of Representatives, the first woman from Austin, Texas to have ever been elected to the Lower House. In 1977, she resigned from her congressional post following her appointment as General Counsel for the United States Department of Agriculture. A year after, she became a Special Assistant to President Jimmy Carter, focusing her work on women’s issues and leadership. From 1983 to 1985, she became the first female director of the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations.

At present, Sarah Weddington is the founder of the Weddington Center, a facility for all her professional and personal endeavors especially in line with women and leadership. She has written a book entitled A Question of Choice which provides a detailed description of her experience in Roe v. Wade.

Her extensive leadership experience has made her one of the most favored motivational speakers. She travels extensively, giving speeches and lectures on developing leadership skills. She also taught courses at the Texas Women’s University from 1981 to 1990 and became an adjunct professor for the university’s History and Government department.

Sarah Weddington is a recipient of various honors and awards. She was named “One of the Most Influential Lawyers of the 20th Century,” in 2000 by Texas Lawyer Magazine, “Texas Woman of the Century” by the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce in 1999 and “Face of the Century” by the San Antonio (TX) Express-News.