Sarah Weddington Sarah Weddington: A Landmark Case and the Road After by Carol Caley A founder of Leadership Texas, attorney Sarah Weddington is best known for successfully arguing the landmark Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court. She shared stories from her decades as a women's advocate at a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception that brought together CIT Class of 2008 members, program alumnae and guests in “A Special Event with Sarah Weddington,” an opportunity to hear the celebrated attorney, author, professor, former legislator and Carter administration presidential advisor. Weddington shared anecdotes about unsung women who made a difference, and described the early days of her involvement with women's workplace issues and women’s leadership. She took on those who thought they knew a woman’s place, and offered up a sage piece of advice: “You should be nice to everyone you meet—you never know where you might see that person again.” She followed up with a story:  It concerned her job interview with the senior partner of a Texas law firm more than three decades ago. This partner had never before interviewed a female candidate for an attorney position at his home office. He could not fathom how a woman could fit in there, and expressed concern that she would need to leave work early to get home in time to cook dinner for her family. He inquired if she would be having children soon, because if that were the case, he wouldn’t hire her. He was also concerned that, with her around, the office attorneys couldn’t “cuss” as usual, and that would cramp their style. She was not hired for the job, but he lived to regret it.  Years later, that same senior partner wanted to become a federal judge. By this time, Weddington was working in the Carter administration as one of three officials whose job was to approve judicial candidates before submitting their applications to the president. “Any candidate who knew me and wanted to expedite this appointment would have picked up the phone to call me,” said Weddington. But this attorney, she believed, felt it was beneath him to talk to a woman about his qualifications. He could not bring himself to call, and had a subordinate do it. The subordinate informed her that she had to approve him. Weddington thought, “No. I don’t.” The fellow never became a federal judge.