Ellen Ash Peters, the first woman to serve as Connecticut’s chief justice and a trailblazer in the legal field, has passed away at the age of 94. Peters, who also was the first female faculty member at Yale Law School, was known for her dedication to upholding the rule of law and promoting fairness and equality in the justice system. Her landmark ruling in the state Supreme Court’s school desegregation case in 1996 made a lasting impact on education in Connecticut.
In her tenure as chief justice, Peters wrote the majority opinion in the Sheff v. O’Neill case, which declared the segregation of Hartford-area schools unconstitutional. This ruling led to the creation of magnet schools and school choice options to address the racial disparities in education. Despite the legal case being litigated for several years, a settlement was finally reached in 2022. Peters’ commitment to justice and equality for all people was evident in her handling of a wide range of cases during her time on the Supreme Court.
Born in Germany, Peters and her family fled Nazi rule and emigrated to New York City when she was eight years old. She went on to graduate from Swarthmore College and Yale Law School, where she became the first female faculty member. Peters earned tenure at Yale Law School before being appointed to the Supreme Court, where she continued to teach as an adjunct professor. Her impact on generations of women in the legal field was recognized by the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who praised Peters for inspiring others to pursue careers in law.
Political leaders and legal experts alike are mourning the loss of Peters and reflecting on her legacy as a trailblazer in the legal profession. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont praised Peters for her dedication to ensuring fair and equal access to justice for all residents. Former Chief Justice Chase Rogers described Peters as a brilliant jurist who shattered glass ceilings for women in the judiciary and set an example for all judges. Peters’ husband, Phillip Blumberg, who was a professor and dean at the University of Connecticut School of Law, passed away in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of legal scholarship and advocacy in Connecticut.
Ellen Ash Peters will be remembered for her fearless pursuit of justice, her commitment to upholding the rule of law, and her dedication to promoting fairness and equality in the legal system. As the first female chief justice in Connecticut and a trailblazer in the legal field, Peters inspired generations of women to pursue careers in law and continue her legacy of advocating for justice and equality. Her impact on the state Supreme Court and the education system in Connecticut will be remembered for years to come. Ellen Ash Peters leaves behind a legacy of leadership, dedication, and advocacy for justice for all people.
