Leading the Way with Judith Knittel Meierhenry
Coming from humble roots on her family’s homestead, Judith Knittel Meierhenry has led a life of excellence, paving the way for generations as a trailblazer for women in Law. Judith has had many firsts, overcoming adversity to rise to the highest position a judge can reach within South Dakota to become a Supreme Court Justice. As inspiring as her career in law has been, Judith has also made a tremendous impact as a high school teacher and English professor. She was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2024 for her exemplary leadership and service to the state.
Judith joined South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director, Cathy Clark to discuss her life and career as an educator, lawyer, and judge.
Judith started her career as a high school English teacher and college professor, teaching in Plattsmouth, N.E., Scottsbluff, N.E., Vermillion, S.D., and Mission, S.D.. When she was 30, she felt the call to change careers and decided to earn her law degree. After law school, she entered private practice in Vermillion with her husband, Mark.
In 1979, Mark was elected Attorney General of South Dakota, which took the family to Pierre, S.D. Judith then joined Governor William Janklow’s administration and served as the Director of the State Economic Opportunity Office, Secretary of Labor, and Secretary of Education and Cultural Affairs.
In 1988, Governor George Mickelson appointed her to the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For the first six years on the bench, she was the only woman Circuit Court Judge statewide. She served in that position for 14 years, five of them as the Circuit's presiding judge.
“It’s a challenge to walk into a room full of men, and they are thinking ‘What do we do?’ and I am equally thinking, ‘What do I do?’” shared Judith, “There’s no roadmap. No one has gone before you to tell you, ‘This is how you do it’. So you have to figure it out.”
The pinnacle of her legal career came in 2002 when Governor William Janklow appointed her to the South Dakota Supreme Court. She served as Supreme Court Justice from 2002 until her retirement in 2011. She was the first woman to serve on the state’s highest court.
“When you are the first at anything, you want to try your best to make it easier for those who follow.” said Judith, “and that is a legacy I hope I have left behind.”
She served as a role model, mentor, and advocate for other women in the profession. To her delight, she has seen women enter the legal field in increasing numbers and become leaders as lawyers and judges, statewide and nationally.
“You know I am just so proud to see that fifty percent or more of people entering law school are women!” stated Judith.
Her philanthropic desire to give of her talents, time, and treasure goes beyond the legal profession. She has served on the Boards of Directors of several entities including Junior Achievement of South Dakota, the South Dakota Humanities Council, and the University of South Dakota Foundation.
“Even more than being proud of leading I am proud to have been a part of it all, to give back to the community.” shared Judith.
To learn more about Judith Knittel Meierhenry, visit her legacy page on our website here.
To learn more about Judith Knittel Meierhenry’s contributions, you can visit her legacy page on our website.