Former Chief Justice speaks at women’s history luncheon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Powell
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
There was a Women's History Luncheon Thursday at the Columbus Club to celebrate March being Women's History Month.
Former Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, Honorable Lenore Prather was the keynote speaker at the event.
With the theme of the luncheon being "Generations of women moving history forward" the Women's History Month committee felt Justice Prather was the best candidate for the job.
"Justice Prather definitely stood out because she is a woman who has seen how women's rights have changed throughout the years, has been a played in shaping today's workforce for women and has impacted many lives in what she has done in her job and the community. Being the first woman to be appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court, we knew Chief Justice Prather could share with the audience her struggles and success stories throughout her career and life," said Capt. Kristi Contardo, 14th Operations Group and Women's History Month committee chair.
During her speech to more than 100 BLAZE Team members, Justice Prather spoke about the contributions that she made to the Mississippi Supreme Court while on the bench. She highlighted being part of the construction of a new Mississippi Supreme Court building in Jackson and being able to make some changes to the court proceedings in Mississippi.
Justice Prather, who grew up in West Point, Miss., was inspired to go into the law business by the men in her family. After receiving her degree from Mississippi University for Women, she attended University of Mississippi School of Law and later practiced with her father.
During her time practicing law, she has achieved many milestones. In 1971 she was appointed as Chancery Judge for the 14th Chancery District, which includes Lowndes, Clay, Oktibbeha, Noxubee, Webster and Chickasaw counties. She was the first woman to hold this position. She was the first female Justice for the State of Mississippi after being appointed in 1982. She later became the Presiding Justice in 1993 and finally the Chief Justice only five years later in 1998.
Mrs. Prather has received the Medal of Excellence and the Alumni Achievement Award from Mississippi University for Women.
In a profession mostly dominated by males, Chief Justice Lenore Prather has made many outstanding accomplishments, from beginning as a lawyer in West Point, Miss., to holding the position of Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court in Jackson, Miss.
"Women's History Month is not just for women. Everyone, men, women and children, need to understand our past if we ever hope to improving our future," said Contardo.