Mary Ann McMorrow

Mary Ann McMorrow (1930-2013) was born and raised on Chicago’s Northwest Side. After earning an undergraduate degree from Rosary College, she went to Loyola University (Chicago) Law School where she was the only female in her 1953 graduating class. As an Assistant State’s Attorney, she was the first woman to prosecute felony cases in Cook County. She became a Circuit Court Judge in 1976 and an Appellate Court Judge in 1985.

In 1992, McMorrow became the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court of Illinois. In 2002 she became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois. After retiring from the bench, McMorrow served on the Loyola law school faculty and as a mentor to female attorneys.

Why this stop? The Blue Line Jefferson Park station is the closest L station to the Edgebrook neighborhood where McMorrow, her husband and daughter lived.

Listen as Justice McMorrow reflects on her career in law and the evolution over the years of women in law.