Sotomayor Visits Penn For Law School Dedication
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- University of Pennsylvania Law School officially opened Golkin Hall, its new $34 million state-of-the-art facility, and got a visit from a US Supreme Court Justice to mark the occasion.
The Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina and one of only four women to sit on the US Supreme Court sat down for a conversation with Penn Law's Dean Michael Fitts at Irvine Auditorium. She told students about the day she decided to become a judge after watching an episode of Perry Mason when she was just ten-and-a-half years old. Describing herself as an "old-time lawyer," Sotomayor did not discuss President Obama's healthcare law, instead giving students career advice.
She also spoke about being a woman in a profession once dominated by men, saying, "there has been progress and every day there is progress."
Students appeared in awe.
"She's a towering figure and I'm thrilled that they're doing a scholarship in her name. I think that's the best way to honor her legacy," said Julie Foster, third-year Penn Law student.
Sottomayor's visit ended a weeklong celebration of the new Penn Law facility, which was named in honor of Penn Law graduates Perry and Donna Golkin.
