Sarah Weddington, the attorney who argued Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court, will speak at Meredith College on Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium.

In 1973, Weddington worked pro bono to represent a group of women who had established an abortion referral program at the University of Texas. Through this association, she successfully argued the landmark case Roe v. Wade, at age 26. In doing so, Weddington became the youngest person to win a case before the Supreme Court.

She also began her political career in 1973, becoming the first woman elected to the Texas House of Representatives. She served in this position for three terms before becoming an assistant to President Jimmy Carter in 1978, directing the administration’s work on women’s issues and leadership outreach. She is the author of “A Question of Choice,” and teaches at the University of Texas.

Weddington’s speeches cover issues relating to leadership and women’s issues. She chronicles the history of the modern women’s rights movement, reflects upon the advances women have made at all levels of society, and discusses the challenges that remain.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is part of Meredith’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Presidential Lecture Series. The lecture series brings major speakers to campus to explore issues relating to the College’s campus wide theme, which is “The Status of Women” for 2006-07.

For more information, contact the Meredith College Office of Marketing & Communications at (919) 760-8455 or marketing@meredith.edu.