RIP Shirley Hufstedler 1925-2016

Shirley Hufstedler was an American lawyer, judge and political figure. She served as a judge on the US Court of Appeals from 1968-1979, eventually becoming the highest ranking woman in the federal judiciary. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed her as the first United States Secretary of Education, a position she held until January of 1981 when President Carter's term of office ended. During the Carter Administration, no vacancies occurred on the US Supreme Court, though it is reported that, had there been one, Carter had a desire to appoint Hufstedler as the first female Supreme Court Justice.

She passed away at the age of 90 at the end of March. She had sent me this signed photo several years ago.