Travelling Exhibit at the Diana E. Murphy Courthouse

On October 16, the federal courthouse in Minneapolis was renamed in honor of trailblazing federal judge Diana E. Murphy ('74) (1934-2018). Judge Murphy was lauded during the ceremony for her extraordinary list of firsts as a woman on the bench, and for her incredible dedication to the profession and to public service, in a judicial career that spanned forty years. At the conclusion of the ceremony, attendees gathered outside for the renaming of the building as the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse.

For the celebration, the Law Library created a "travelling" edition of its current exhibit, "Women in the Law: Pioneers of the Courtroom," and a display of standing panels and photographs from the Library's display on Judge Murphy's storied career. The travelling exhibit highlights the achievements of Minnesota women judges who were among the first women in the state to serve on the bench. Ian Moret, the Special Collections Assistant, led our efforts to organize the travelling exhibit. Ian did terrific work to condense our "Women in the Law" exhibit in order to fit the courthouse lobby display case, and installed the exhibit for the event. The logistics involved were substantial, and Ian handled them with his customary expertise. During the commemorative ceremony, Judge Nancy Brasel, who headed the event's planning committee, thanked the Law School for its contribution.

The travelling exhibit, "Women in the Law: Pioneers of the Courtroom," will be on display during business hours at the Diana E. Murphy Courthouse for the next several months.

  - Ryan Greenwood, Curator of Rare Books and Special Collections