Sarah Weddington
Sarah Catherine Ragle Weddington (February 5, 1945 – December 26, 2021) was an American attorney, law professor, advocate for women's rights and reproductive health, and member of the Texas House of Representatives. She was best known for representing "Jane Roe" (real name Norma McCorvey) in the landmark Roe v. Wade case before the United States Supreme Court.[1][2][3] She also was the first female General Counsel for the US Department of Agriculture.
Sarah Weddington
Constituency established
Constituency established
Constituency abolished
December 26, 2021 (aged 76)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Early life and education[edit]
Sarah Ragle was born on February 5, 1945, in Abilene, Texas, to Lena Catherine and Herbert Doyle Ragle, a Methodist minister.[4][5] As a child, she was drum major of her junior high band, president of the Methodist youth fellowship at her church, played the organ, sang in the church choir, and rode horses.[6]
Weddington graduated from high school two years early and then graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from McMurry University in Abilene.[5] She was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. In 1964, she entered the University of Texas Law School.[5] partly motivated after the dean at McMurry College, told her "No woman from this college has ever gone to law school. It would be too tough".[7]
She was one of only five women in her law school class of 120.[8] In 1967, during her third year of law school, Weddington became pregnant by Ron Weddington and travelled to Mexico for an illegal abortion,[9][10] a fact she didn't reveal until 1992.[7] She received her J.D. that same year, graduating in the top quarter of her class.[11]
Personal life and death[edit]
From 1968 to 1974, she was married to Ron Weddington.[31][32] After her divorce, Sarah lived alone in Austin, Texas.[33]
Weddington died at her home in Austin on December 26, 2021, at age 76, after a period of declining health.[5][34][35] News outlets noted that her death occurred shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, a case reconsidering – and ultimately overturning – the Roe v. Wade decision.[36][37]
Awards[edit]
Weddington held honorary doctorates from McMurry University, Hamilton College, Austin College, Southwestern University, and Nova Southeastern University.[33]