Judges in the Classroom Lesson Plan |
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Her Day in Court
Women Judges and Justices in Washington State
Source:
Margaret Fisher at the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) originally authored the lesson on behalf of the Washington State Gender and Justice Commission. The lesson was updated in 2020, to accompany the YouTube video updated in 2011. For more information, contact AOC, Temple of Justice, 415 12th Ave SW, PO Box 41174, Olympia, Washington 98504-1174. For an electronic copy of this lesson, or to view other lesson plans, visit Judges in the Classroom on the Washington Courts Web site at: www.courts.wa.gov/education/.
Description:
This lesson explores the history of women in the legal profession in Washington. Students learn vocabulary terms relating to discrimination and then view the DVD and pick out examples of their newly learned vocabulary terms. Discussion following the DVD explores the examples found in the DVD and the coping strategies of women to deal with the barriers presented. Students will examine within their own lives where the money and power are located.
Grade Level:
Grades 9-12
Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, students will be better able to:
- Identify barriers women faced historically in becoming lawyers and judges.
- Consider what barriers women face today in employment.
- Chart history of changes for women in law field.
- Identify strategies women use to become successful.
- Define vocabulary of sex discrimination.
Time:
One class period (approximately 50 minutes)
Materials:
Procedures:
- Begin by asking the class if anyone can give the name of a lawyer or judge from either Washington State or from anywhere in the country. Tell students not to include TV judges or lawyers. Assuming that no one volunteers the name of a woman judge, ask if anyone can think of any woman lawyer or woman judge in Washington State or the entire country. Give them a minute to think. Tell students that while it might have been hard to think of a name, today they are going to learn about the challenges faced by women in the law profession in the history of Washington State and today.
- Tell students before they watch this YouTube video of the history of women in the law in Washington State, they are going to receive a handout to fill in examples that they notice while watching the video. Give each student a copy of Handout 1.
- Show the YouTube video. You should stop the video at various points to discuss what students observe, for instance, after the law school section.
- Ask students what were the various strategies that the women used to react to the difficulties. Write their responses on the board: had a sense of humor, persevered, got support from other women, developed political base, dressed to distinguish themselves from female support staff, and adopted a very feminine or shunned their feminine side.
- After the YouTube video is over, ask students to reflect on whether any of these discrimination practices are still present today. Also ask them about what other groups might face the same type of discrimination as women did in the 1970s and 1980s.
- The YouTube video ends with the quote that “A woman’s voice plus a man’s voice equals the human voice.” Do you agree? Would you rewrite this?
- Thank the group for their efforts and encourage them to be aware of fairness and discrimination around them.
Handout 1
Her Day in Court
- As you watch the YouTube video, write down instances of how women in the law profession experienced discrimination and ways that they responded.
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Discrimination practice |
Responses |
Student in Law School |
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Looking for a Job |
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Working in a Firm |
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Dealing with Judges |
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Teaching in a Law School |
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Moving as a municipal court judge to the more powerful superior court judgeship |
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- Do you think these types of discrimination against women and women of color have ended?
- What other groups experience this type of discrimination?
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