Rose Bird

Date of Birth: November 2, 1936

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: December 4, 1999

Biography

Rose Elizabeth Bird was an American judge and the first female Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Bird made significant strides in the legal field, often finding herself at the center of controversy due to her progressive stances. She graduated from Long Island University and went on to earn her law degree from UC Berkeley School of Law. Bird was appointed as Chief Justice by Governor Jerry Brown in 1977, marking a historic moment as she was not only the first woman to hold the position but also the first woman to serve on the California Supreme Court. Her tenure was marked by her strong opposition to the death penalty, which led to political backlash and ultimately her removal from the bench in a 1986 retention election. Despite this, Bird’s impact on the legal system and her role as a trailblazer for women in law remain significant.

5 Interesting Facts about Rose Bird

1. Rose Bird was the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.

2. She authored the court’s majority opinion in 61 cases during her tenure.

3. Bird was a staunch opponent of the death penalty, voting to overturn all 64 death penalty cases that came before her.

4. She received the American Bar Association’s Margaret Brent Award for her contributions to women in the legal profession.

5. Bird faced unprecedented political opposition, leading to her being the first Chief Justice in California history to be removed from office by voters.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rose Bird

1. “The law must be stable, but it must not stand still.”

2. “The judiciary must not be swayed by the pressure of the times.”

3. “Justice is not a popularity contest.”

4. “A judge’s duty is to follow the law, not public opinion.”

5. “The protection of individual rights is the cornerstone of our democracy.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Rose Bird did not accumulate significant wealth as her career was primarily in public service. Her net worth was modest, estimated to be under $1 million at the height of her career.