A well-known attorney, legislator, author and women’s rights advocate is speaking today at NIU about the role women play in leadership positions.

Sarah Weddington, who at 27 became the youngest woman to win a Supreme Court case, will present “Some Leaders are Born Women” at 3 p.m. in Swen Parson Hall, Francis X. Courtroom.

Weddington’s presentation is the fourth lecture in the Marla Dickerson Public Interest Lecture Series, which is free to the public.

In 1972, Weddington was the first woman from Austin elected into the Texas House of Representatives, said Tracey Koehler, assistant director of alumni events and public relations for the College of Law. Weddington’s accomplishments include being the first woman in the role of general counsel to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and becoming an assistant to former President Jimmy Carter, Koehler said.

Weddington directed the administration to focus on women’s issues and leadership outreach as she was designated by Carter, and she helped bring about more equal treatment of women in the military in terms of securing business loans and social programs, Koehler said.

Weddington will also discuss her new book, “A Question of Choice,” Koehler said. A reception and book signing follows the lecture.

“She points out women have the skills to be in leadership positions, and she also points out the historical factor why women have not been in the key role as men are and have,” Koehler said. “Her presentation applies to everybody, and to the leadership skills we all can achieve no matter your age or gender.”

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