Mary S. Coleman
Mary S. Coleman | |
|---|---|
Coleman c. 1977 | |
| Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court | |
| In office 1973–1982 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 24, 1914 Forney, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | November 27, 2001 (aged 87) |
| Spouse | Creighton Coleman |
| Education | University of Maryland George Washington University |
| Occupation | Judge |
| Known for | First female chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court |
Mary Stallings Coleman (June 24, 1914 – November 27, 2001)[1] was a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 1973 until 1982.
Coleman was born in Forney, Texas, but grew up in Washington, DC. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Maryland and received her law degree from George Washington University. Coleman eventually settled in Marshall, Michigan.[2]
Coleman became a circuit court judge in Calhoun County, where she had previously been a probate judge there.[3] She ran for the Michigan Supreme Court in 1972 and won the election and took office in 1973. She ran for re-election 1978. She retired in 1982 two years before her second term was up and Governor William Milliken appointed Lieutenant Governor James Brickley to replace her just before he and Brickley left office.[4]
Coleman chalked up a reputation as a conservative judge who believed that courts must not
step into other branches of government[5]
With Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan both seeking to nominate the first female Supreme Court of the United States Justice, Coleman was considered a possibility both to replace William O. Douglas in 1975,[5][6] and to replace Potter Stewart at the next vacancy six years later.[7][6] Coleman's age told against her: she was one year older than Justice Stewart himself, and at sixty-seven in 1981 was three years older than the oldest Justice ever appointed to the Court for the first time.
On the Supreme Court, Coleman was elected the second female chief justice of any state, following Lorna E. Lockwood of Arizona. Coleman is in the University of Maryland Hall of Fame and Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Hoffman, Kathy Barks (November 28, 2001). "Michigan's First Female Supreme Court Justice Dies at 87". Grand Haven Tribune. p. 6.
- ^ a b "The Hon. Mary Stallings Coleman". Northwood University. January 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "Michigan's First Elected Female Supreme Court Justice Dies". Ventura County Star. Associated Press. November 28, 2001. p. B7.
- ^ "Mary Stallings Coleman". Michigan Women Forward. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ a b Gentry, Margaret (November 13, 1975). "Women Dominate Supreme Court Prospect List". Spokane Chronicle. p. 5.
- ^ a b "Report Lists Three New High Court Candidates". The Durham Sun. July 3, 1981. p. 2-A.
- ^ O'Brien, David M. (2003). Storm Center (Sixth ed.). p. 70.