The Rhetoric of Supreme Court Women : From Obstacles to Options

The Supreme Court is one of the most traditional institutions in America that has been an exclusively male domain for almost two hundred years. From 1981 to 2010, four women were appointed to the Supreme Court for the first time in U.S. history. The Rhetoric of Supreme Court Women: From Obstacles to Options, by Nichola D. Gutgold, analyzes the rhetoric of the first four women elected to the Supreme Court: Sandra Day O'Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan. Gutgold's thorough exploration of these pioneering women's rhetorical strategies includes confirmation hearings, primary scripts of their written opinions, invited public lectures, speeches, and personal interviews with Justices O'Connor, Ginsberg, and Sotomayor. These illuminating documents and interviews form rhetorical biographies of the first four women of the Supreme Court, shedding new light on the rise of political women in the American judiciary and the efficacy of their rhetoric in a historically male-dominated political system. Gutgold's The Rhetoric of Supreme Court Women provides valuable insight into political communication and the changing gender zeitgeist in American politics. The Supreme Court Is One Of The Most Traditional Institutions In America That Has Been An Exclusively Male Domain For Almost Two Hundred Years. From 1981 To 2010, Four Women Were Appointed To The Supreme Court For The First Time In U.s. History. The Rhetoric Of Supreme Court Women: From Obstacles To Options, By Nichola D. Gutgold, Analyzes The Rhetoric Of The First Four Women Elected To The Supreme Court: Sandra Day O'connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, And Elena Kagan. Gutgold's Thorough Exploration Of These Pioneering Women's Rhetorical Strategies Includes Confirmation Hearings, Primary Scripts Of Their Written Opinions, Invited Public Lectures, Speeches, And Personal Interviews With Justices O'connor, Ginsburg, And Sotomayor. These Illuminating Documents And Interviews Form Rhetorical Biographies Of The First Four Women Of The Supreme Court, Shedding New Light On The Rise Of Political Women In The American Judiciary And The Efficacy Of Their Rhetoric In A Historically Male-dominated Political System. Gutgold's The Rhetoric Of Supreme Court Women Provides Valuable Insight Into Political Communication And The Changing Gender Zeitgeist In American Politics. Up From Obscurity : Women And The United States Supreme Court -- Sandra Day O'connor : Pioneering And Pragmatic In Words And Deeds -- Ruth Bader Ginsburg : The Legal Architect Of The Women's Movement -- Sonia Sotomayor : Intense Intellectualism And Cultural Pride -- Elena Kagan : A Fierce Intellect And Interpersonal Finesse -- Women And The Supreme Court : Moving Beyond Gender. Nichola D. Gutgold. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. From 1981 to 2010, the advancements of women in the United States can be seen in the words of the four pioneering women on the Supreme Court. The Rhetoric of Supreme Court Women: From Obstacles to Options, by Nichola D. Gutgold, explores how Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg used effective rhetoric and worked to overcome gender obstacles, while cultural changes in America provided Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan with a wider range of rhetorical options. Gutgold's exploration of these four Supreme Court women prov