Kay McFarland
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Kay McFarland is the Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court. During her 35 years as a judge she broke many gender barriers in Kansas. She was the first female elected to judgeship in Shawnee County, Kansas, first appointed to the state Supreme Court, and first to hold the title of chief justice.
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[edit] Personal life
Kay McFarland was born on July 20, 1935, in Topeka, Kansas to Dr. Kenneth and Margaret McFarland.[1] In 1957 she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English and history-political science at Washburn University. She earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1964 at Washburn University School of Law.[2]
[edit] Professional life
McFarland was admitted to the Kansas Bar and entered into private practice in 1964 in Topeka. In 1971, she was elected judge of the probate and juvenile courts of Shawnee County becoming the first woman elected to judgeship in that county.
In January 1973 she won the election to become judge of the newly created Fifth Division of the District Court in Topeka. On September 19, 1977 she was appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court by Governor Robert F. Bennett becoming the state's first female Supreme Court justice.[3] On September 1, 1995 she became the Kansas's first female Chief Justice replacing the retiring Hon. Richard W. Holmes.[4] In 2008 she will leave the Kansas Supreme Court due to state laws mandating retirement after the age of 70.
[edit] References
- ^ An Act of Kindness (English). Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
- ^ Supreme Court Justices at a Glance (English). Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
- ^ FindLaw Biography (English). Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
- ^ Kansas Supreme Court Biography (English). Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
[edit] External links
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| Preceded by Richard W. Holmes |
Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court 1995 –Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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