PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Family, friends and state and local officials, like Gov. Josh Shapiro, gathered at a ceremony at Pittsburgh’s Omni William Penn Hotel Friday where the Supreme Court swore in Debra Todd as the state’s 58th Chief Justice.
Todd, an Elwood City, Lawrence County native and University of Pittsburgh School of Law graduate, is the first woman appointed to this position in the court’s 300-year history. She will preside over a six-member bench of justices in the highest court in the Commonwealth.
She said she became inspired to pursue law at a young age while working as a filing clerk for a private attorney.
Todd served as a judge on Pennsylvania’s Superior Court from 2000 – 2007, was elected to the Supreme Court in Nov. 2007 and was retained in Nov. 2017 for a second, ten-year term.
She said being appointed this position fills her heart with joy and gratitude.
"Joy in arriving at this moment and gratitude for all the strong and determined women who paved the way and for those who supported me throughout my journey."
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In her speech at the ceremony, she gave advice to women entering law, noting that there are more women in the field now than when she was pursuing it.
"Many years ago, the legal profession was a man's world. Thankfully, that has changed, and women are law firm partners, general counsel judges and Supreme Court Justices," Todd said.
"That is not news to you, but I wanted to point out that, in striving for success, there is no reason to be anything other than who you are in order to make it in what is admittedly a tough profession where assertiveness and tenacity reign supreme."
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Todd then referenced a book from 2004, "Nice Girls don't get the Corner Office," saying, "You can be tough without being a bully, you can be kind without being weak... As the newly installed Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, I can tell you, nice girls do get the corner office."
Shapiro said Todd’s swearing-in is not just making history, it’s also inspiring the next generation of leaders.
“Women and young girls in Pennsylvania need leaders that they can look up to in our justice system and beyond. As a father to a young woman, thank you," Shapiro said. "Your example is inspiring to girls who answer the call to public service.”