WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Hometown Hero: Leah Ward Sears
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Leah Ward SearsSAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - A woman who grew up in Savannah has helped change the face of the legal system in Georgia.
She's crossed lines of gender and race as she's ascended to the highest court in the state.
Leah Ward Sears talks about the history of the women's movement from a first hand perspective. As chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, she spoke earlier this month to students at Georgia Southern University.
She recalled moving to the region as a military child. She also described her later role as the first woman of color to serve as a Superior Court judge in the state and later on Georgia's highest court. She says even she would have thought it impossible as a youngster in the 60s and 70s.
"I would think it unbelievable in the short period of time it occurred," said Sears. "When I was young in Savannah, the schools were segregated for the most part."
Chief Justice Sears says she and others stared down discrimination and stereotypes, even in the courthouse halls.
"I would walk around some parts of Georgia and have people come up and ask, 'are you really a judge?'" said Sears.
She's helped shape society's perceptions as well as its laws. She also hopes to help shape Georgia's future as she advises young people who will eventually lead the state.
"These students are my children's age and they're facing the challenges of their generation and it's good to come and share with them how we were able to master our challenges and maybe help them get along their way," said Sears.
Her advise? To study hard and look at society with an open mind then devote yourself passionately to making it better.
Leah Ward Sears, a pioneer of history and mentor of the future and a WTOC Hometown Hero.
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